Bethany and Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative

unveil plaque to acknowledge traditional owners of land

Left to right

representatives from Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative

Gavin Couzens and David McLachlan with Chair of Bethany Dr Sarah leach

Photo Ferne Millen Photography

On Wednesday, 18 November 2008, Bethany Community Support formally acknowledged the traditional owners of the land on which Bethany stands with the unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion with representatives from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.

The ceremony began with a traditional 'smoking ceremony' and dance by members of Wathaurong.

Below is a transcript of the speech by Bethany's Chair Dr Sarah Leach (pictured above)

'It is my pleasure to welcome you all here today. Our warmest welcome is in acknowledging the elders, traditional owners and custodians of the land that are here today. I particular want to make feel welcome those amongst us who have a personal connection with Bethany Community Support.

Bethany is proud to have been a part of the Geelong community since 1868; this year celebrating 140 years of adapting to the changing needs, beliefs and values of those that live here. In reflecting on this I thought it important to take the opportunity to highlight what Indigenous peoples in this area have experience over the past 140 years. As shared experiences such as this one are an opportunity to expand our knowledge and that over time, after many more opportunities for cumulative knowledge building, may we come to a level of mutual understanding that will allow us to work in true partnership with local Indigenous peoples.

Some of the significant events historically in the Wathaurong region were: the first recorded massacres occurred in 1835, by 1839 most of the land was settled and utilised for the grazing of sheep and cattle, 1840 saw Aboriginals banned from the streets of Geelong.  In 1841, 150 peoples of the Barrabool clan were recorded as being “found” in 1861 a one acre block was set aside at Mt Duneed as a “reserve” for the remaining Barrabool peoples; and 24 years later in 1885 – Willem Bahnip died of tuberculosis; he was declared, by the settlers, as the last known survivor of the Barrabool clan and it was assumed also the last of the Wathaurong.

At this time in history Bethany had been already been servicing the Geelong Community for 17 years.    The 1900’s were a tumultuous time with wars and depressions and Bethany provided services to women and children as either respite, a maternity ward and/ or adoption agency.  Although adoption had long been practiced unofficially in Australia legal adoption was introduced and arranged until 1977. It is impossible to known how many Indigenous women and babies have passed through Bethany throughout its history and to what degree their memories would insight pleasure, sorrow or irreverence.

In relation to this I, personally, and as a representative of the Board of Management at Bethany Community Support  can say “we are collectively delighted to be here at this time in history, during a time of a National Apology for past practices, reconciliation and healing. Through sharing history we may develop a cumulative understanding and renewed trust and mutual respect. Today is a great example of the process that is happening across the country in regional and urban centers, which is the opportunity to warmly welcome the contemporary Indigenous community to include mainstream agencies and community members in special and ancient ceremonies to build knowledge and understanding. This ceremony,  I am told ,  calls on the ancestral creator spirit to cleanses the old spirits and these grounds. This is an ancient tradition and we accept the symbolism of replenishing.

Thank you to the Wathaurong community, David Taurnier Snr and dancers for sharing this ceremony with us and for allowing the staff and management of Bethany Community Support to participate

140th Annual General Meeting

Photo: Grant Boyd CEO Bethany, Dr Sarah Leach, Chair Bethany Board of Management and Major David Eldridge, Salvation Army and Chair of the National Youth Commission

Photo courtesy of Ferne Millen Photography

Those attending Bethany's 140th Annual General Meeting on 11 November were addressed by Major David Eldridge . Chair of the National Youth Commission, who highlighted the challenges facing young people in the region in particular in the area of Housing.

Major Eldridge highlighted three key questions which faced Geelong with regards to homelessness: affordability, the development of  the right services in the right places and early intervention programs.

At the AGM Bethany distributed its yearly Annual Report which can be either downloaded from this web site in the about us section or if you would like a hard copy please contact Julie Stefanoff on 5245 2818.

Appointment of New Chief Executive Officer

Grant Boyd

The Board of Management of Bethany Community Support announces the appointment of Grant Boyd as Chief Executive Officer.

Dr Sarah Leach, Chair Bethany Board of Management said ‘We are very pleased to announce this appointment. Grant comes to Bethany after several years at the Department of Human Services Barwon South West Region as Manager Strategic Support and Performance.

He has a wealth of experience in both Government and Community Sectors having previously been CEO of Gateways Support Services before joining a consultancy firm specialising in Health and Community Services. We look forward to Bethany continuing to deliver the highest standard of community services throughout the Region under his guidance’ she said

Of his appointment Grant Boyd said ‘I am delighted to take up this appointment. Bethany is a well respected and highly regarded agency in the Community Services sector and I am looking forward to continuing and building upon the existing broad range of integrated services offered to the community’ 

Mr. Boyd will commence his appointment on Monday 17 November 2008

We're almost there, but we still need your help!

Late in 2007 Bethany Community Support launched it's 140th Anniversary Building Development Appeal.

Due to the increased need within the community over the past six years, Bethany has undergone enormous growth and expansion. In order to accommodate growing staff numbers and clients and to prepare for future growth, a new two storey wing and a reconfiguration of the existing building has been designed.

The Appeal has so far has secured over 80% of the total funds needed to begin the $1.8m development. These funds have been raised through local and national Foundations and Trusts along with support from the local corporate sector and individuals.

If you would like to help you can download a pledge form here.   Or for further information click here or contact Julie Stefanoff on 5245 2818.

New program funding announced....

Bethany Community Support has been announced by the Rudd Government as provider of new services to the Region under the Supporting Children after Separation Program.

The focus of the Program will be on building children’s resilience in dealing with change and recognising that family separation can be traumatic for children and adolescents. It will seek to develop the child’s positive relationships with both parents and to build strong relationships with siblings and members of the extended family as important strategies for children and adolescents in coping with the grief and loss associated with family separation.

The Supporting Children after Separation Program will commence in December 2008. Services will include one-to-one counselling with children and adolescents, and groups for older children and adolescents. The service will assist children and adolescents to develop resilience, self esteem and positive relationships and most importantly to have a say in matters that relate to them in the family breakdown.

Let's play....

Due to generous funding from Sabemo Foundation, Bethany’s Northern Suburbs Supported Playgroups have commenced.

Located at three sites in the Northern Suburbs: Learning @ Rosewall, Corio West Primary School and North Shore Primary School, all the playgroups are facilitated by a coordinator from Bethany and provide a wide range of activities for the pre-school children and their parents/carers.

A fourth playgroup will commence during the coming fourth school term and support is also being offered to the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op playgroup in Norlane.

And the winner is.....

Andrew King

2008 Geelong Father of the Year

Andrew King with his daughters Olivia and Brittany.

Photo courtesy of Ferne Millen Photography

Andrew King was announced the 2008 Geelong Father of the Year at a corporate Breakfast at the Geelong Football Club on Friday 5 September in front of a crowd of 390 guests.

Andrew was nominated for the Award by his daughter Olivia .

Olivia wrote "I nominate my dad because he never lets us miss out on things..." and she goes on to say " He lets us make decisions about own lives as long as he is sure we are safe. He puts us first before him, every time."

This year over 630 entries were received from Geelong and Barwon Region, some from as far away as Forrest and Little River.

The Award celebrates fatherhood through the eyes of the child and acknowledges the role fathers play within the family unit.

Special guest speakers at the breakfast were father and daughter, broadcasters, Tim and Sam Lane. Tim and Sam talked about the close bond they developed after Sam's mother died abruptly when she was 10 and Sam moved in with her dad permanently. The MC as always was, Coodabeen Champion Ian Cover.

The Award is a partnership between Bethany, the Geelong Advertiser and the Rotary Club of Geelong and sponsored by the Bendigo Bank.

For more information about the Award and the list of fantastic prizes that Andrew and Olivia receive click here.