Wednesday, 6 April 2022

Ministers statements: elders cultural wellbeing project

Mr LEANE (Eastern Metropolitan—Minister for Local Government, Minister for Suburban Development, Minister for Veterans) (12:13): Last week I was fortunate enough to visit the Aboriginal Advancement League to meet with Dr Esme Bamblett and Aunty Doreen Lovett to chat about the elders in the community who have been brought together by the elders cultural wellbeing project. This project has been keeping Aboriginal elders connected and supported throughout the last few years. The project has provided invaluable insights into how they can continue to support Aboriginal communities and is proudly supported by the metropolitan partnerships.

The Aboriginal Advancement League has been providing services and advocacy for Aboriginal Victorian communities since 1957. The league is the delivery partner for the elders cultural wellbeing project under the Metropolitan Partnership Development Fund, which encompasses the metropolitan regions and has received funding from the government. Dr Bamblett said it is about connecting the community with exchange of ideas, stories and experiences. Dr Bamblett is a founding member of the northern metropolitan partnership and has volunteered valuable time and is dedicated to giving the northern suburbs a voice in government. I welcome that very much. The partnerships fund supports metropolitan partnerships to focus on local priorities, such as this project.

I would like to thank the following members of the partnerships: Diana David, inner metro; Deborah Mellett, southern metro; Karen Jackson, western metro; Gheran Steel, inner south-east metro; Michael Browne, eastern metro; of course ongoing member of the northern metropolitan partnership Dr Esme Bamblett; and all the metropolitan board members for their tireless work and for initiating this great program, which is making a huge difference to Aboriginal communities.