Yuwaya Ngarra-li – ‘Vision’.CLD Centre Align

"The Dharriwaa Elders will lead a collaboration with UNSW and other supporters to grow our individual and community strengths and assets. We aim to restore a robust belonging to thriving families, community and country, while making our place in the nation and sharing our learning with other communities". Dharriwaa Elders Group, Walgett.

The purpose of Yuwaya Ngarra-li is for the Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) and UNSW to work in partnership to improve the wellbeing, social, built and physical environment and life pathways of Aboriginal people in Walgett through collaborating on evidence-based programs, research projects and capacity building, and to evaluate this model of CommUNIty-Led Development as a way of working with other Aboriginal communities.

Yuwaya Ngarra-li is an initiative that will promote two-way learning between Walgett's Dharriwaa Elders Group and a range of UNSW faculties, with long term academic leadership by ASsoc. Professor Ruth McCausland and keenly supported by the Vice-Chancellor

Warning: Images of deceased persons may appear. Yuwaalaraay / Gamilaraay pronunciation guide.

the long queue for iceblocks at the WAMS / Goonimoo tent

The Pool Day held in Walgett 30 November 2019 had many purposes.

Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service (“WAMS”) and Dharriwaa Elders Group (“DEG”) – both long-standing Walgett Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (“ACCOs”) value the swimming pool highly for health and wellbeing and recognise the important activity for children that the pool provides. Most Walgett services for children and families try to organise pool activities over the hot summer months to “beat the heat”.<p>

WAMS Goonimoo chose to conduct a Pool Day to launch a new child injury prevention program it is undertaking in 2020 with UNSW School of Public Health and Community Medicine. Dharriwaa Elders Group and its Yuwaya Ngarra-li UNSW partnership team chose to conduct a Pool Day to continue its Community Data gathering activity, building on a successful pool day conducted in 2018. The two strong local ACCOs combined resources, and Goonimoo invited Mission Australia and Walgett PCYC to join in. The day was attended by 388 people from 11am – 5pm and a really positive vibe was experienced by all.