Oonah Belonging Place, previously Healesville Indigenous Community Services Association (HICSA), was established in December 2009 “To establish a welcoming and culturally affirming place in Healesville that provides a central point of contact for community members, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, for information, services and programs that are focused on building a healthy, strong and skilled Community.” Oonah continues to honour the work of the founding members and the Board and staff work together to ensure sound and transparent governance, guidance, and quality delivery of services to Community. Oonah works from a central tenet that culture is fundamental to everything. Where individuals are along their cultural connection journey, respect for culture is paramount when providing services and care planning.
At Oonah, we strive to uphold a culturally respectful approach that includes and strengthens all peoples, traditions, stories and culture, now and for future generations. aim to support a healthy, strong and skilled Community through our core values of: Respect, Caring and Sharing.
Oonah's Community Engagement Officer Nikki Madgwick chats about her role and how that has changed through the COVID-19 pandemic. The mob at Oonah have had to get creative with their engagement to community and changed some of their program online. Although lockdown has stopped and delayed a lot of organisation and services Oonah ensured that they continued those programs during these tough times.
For more information about Oonah and their programs visit https://oonah.org.au/