Wednesday, 28 August 2024

 Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (19:12): (806) Firstly I would just like to say that this adjournment has been written for me by Kayla Page, from Mount Erin Secondary College, who has been doing work experience in my office. I say thank you to Kayla.

My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples. The action I seek is for the minister to join me in visiting the wonderful space that is Willum Warrain. This place is a very spiritual and special place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come together to explore identity. Willum Warrain in local Boon Wurrung language means ‘home by the sea.’ In the late 1980s the Hastings Aboriginal community was quite sizeable, with many families living in the area. They started to gather in the old community house. It was run by a few non-Indigenous women, who responded to the need for a place to feel safe and comfortable together. In 1995 the community had a desire for a place of their own, so Kaala Koorie was formed. After 13 years of operating, Kaala Koorie ceased to run and there was no Aboriginal organisation in Hastings for two years. Then from 2010 to 2013, after much discussion, a new organisation was formed. Willum Warrain was established in 2014 in Hastings with support from Mornington Peninsula shire and funding from the Closing the Gap program. Willum Warrain is regarded as a place of hope, belonging and culture. I certainly agree with that. I look forward to welcoming the minister to this community.