Tuesday, 29 July 2025

 Jacinta ERMACORA (Western Victoria) (15:13): In this recent NAIDOC Week I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the new Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative building on the lands of the Peek Woorroong people. The cooperative is the primary provider of social, health and cultural services from birth to elderhood for Indigenous people in and around Warrnambool. The new facility is a fitting home overlooking the Hopkins River, a site of profound cultural importance to Eastern Maar people. This beautiful setting naturally aligns with the cooperative’s holistic approach to health and social care. Given this year’s theme, ‘The next generation: strength, vision and legacy’, it was fantastic to see so many young people at the event. Two emerging leaders, Harmony Smith and Alkira Couzens, took part in the official opening ceremony. I want to congratulate the board chair Dominique De Bono and CEO Danny Chatfield and express my thanks for the wonderful breakfast with community members.