Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service Limited ANNUAL REPORT 2024/2025 69 Funded by: Federal Dept of Social Services – National Indigenous Australians Agency NSW Health – Rural Doctors Network – Western NSW Primary Health Network Celebrating over 39 years of Service since 1986 19 Dharriwaa Elders Group sustainability and supporters Dharriwaa Elders Group (an Aboriginal Walgett community cultural organization of 24 years standing) expanded its staff and capabilities during the period. Staff during parts or all of this financial year were Kim Sullivan, Vanessa Hickey, Peter Wright, Wendy Spencer, Brenda McBride, Lily Johnson, Bow Simpson, Zoe Sands, Stephen Dennis, Craig Vaughan, Ernest Sands, Latia Sands-Dennis, Aaron Murray, Loretta Weatherall, Tyrin Hickey, Babu Nagarkoti, Amanda Hunt. Valued service suppliers included Slattery and Johnson, Danett and Associates, Walumarra Studio, Nook Studios, Your ITProvider, Environmental Defenders Office, Coast History and Heritage. The wellbeing of members and safety of staff remains our highest priority. The Employee Assistance Program provided by Dr Elizabeth McEntyre is essential. The provision of a safe meeting place with harmony amongst Elders and their visitors has become an increasing challenge in our troubled community and this year DEG staff suffered poor support from conservative interests and complaints from one individual. DEG directors are determined to develop DEG’s fundraising and social enterprises for Walgett’s wellbeing and economic and social development. To further this aim, DEG continued to build relationships with the philanthropic sector in order to test and model the ways governments can Close the Gap by procuring services and capability of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector. During the period DEG became more experienced in assessing the value of engaging with government and other agencies, and deepened relationships with stakeholders like Mission Australia, NSW Dept Communities and Justice, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, NSW Fisheries, NSW DCCEEW environmental water managers while building new relationships with NSW EPA, Revenue NSW, NSW Water Group, WaterNSW, NSW Natural Resources Commission, NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator. The Dharriwaa Elders Group was supported financially or in kind by: a. Leading and providing services to the Yuwaya Ngarrali project – DEG’s partnership with University of NSW, supported by the Paul Ramsay Foundation b. The Commonwealth Government through the CHSP program of the Dept. of Health for Social Support and related Transport c. The Commonwealth Government through National Indigenous Australians Agency Indigenous Advancement Strategy (River Rangers) d. Gilbert + Tobin Lawyers, Environmental Defenders Office, Steven Davies and Community First Development, Beca Group, Mullane Foundation e. The many donors to the Food and Water Appeal, the Organisational Support Appeal, the Covid-19 related Work and Relief Appeal and general donations. Rangers undertook chainsaw operations training, first aid and started their Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystems Management at TAFE NSW.
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