By Ann Marie
ABORIGINAL welfare campaigner Colleen Marion said opening a new playgroup for Wyndham’s indigenous families was like a dream come true.
“Our children need and deserve the best start in life,” she said.
About 1000 Wyndham locals have an indigenous background.
However, only a few access the mainstream services for their young children.
Others travel long distances to join programs designed specifically for them.
The new playgroup is the first step in providing a range of other services for Wyndham’s indigenous residents, including health and welfare programs.
The program presents a collaboration between doctors’ group Westgate Division of General Practice, ISIS Primary Care, Save the Children, and the Wyndham Council.
Ms Marion helped establish a similar “indigenous gathering place” in Maribyrnong in 2003 to promote the culture and attend to the health needs of Aboriginals.
She was the first person of Aboriginal descent to receive the White Flame Award from Save the Children for her dedication in serving the needs of children.
The Wyndham playgroup, will offer culturally specific games and activities, including indigenous storytelling, dancing and music.
Westgate doctor representative Corinne Siebel said local doctors were now being given specific training in treating indigenous patients as part of a health outreach service that will be launched in the near future. “We are trying to make local doctors culturally aware and actually target our services to suit their needs,” she said. Playgroup sessions will be held weekly and will start on 18 April, from 10am until noon, at ISIS Primary Care, 117 Waringa Cr, in Hoppers Crossing. No bookings are necessary, and the playgroup service is free.
