January 2012Special Edition Issue 1

In conjunction with the Armadale Independent Film Festival’s Indigenous Film Night, the City of Armadale presented the Birak Festival on Friday 2 December at Memorial Park.

“Armadale has strong, proud ties to Noongar heritage. The Birak Festival is a celebration of all things Aboriginal” said Mayor Henry Zelones.

The free festival featured contemporary Noongar music and entertainment including Deadly award nominee John Bennett, Indigenous female trio Moana Dreaming and the award winning Bartlett Brothers.

Renowned indigenous actor and Armadale local Kelton Pell hosted the Indigenous Film Night. Kelton is an acclaimed Noongar performer that has been in Bran Nue Dae and Stone Bros.

The twilight screening of the emotional documentary, OurStory: Six Sisters of the Stolen

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Special points of InterestBirak Festival

Champion MessageChampion Centre staff

Upcoming programs & eventsAboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Advisory Group

Generation, took place in the beautiful outdoor amphitheatre at Memorial Park.

OurStory was created by West Australian film maker John McMullan who has crafted a contemporary piece about the cultural impact upon families of the Stolen Generation.

There was information and activity stalls from Diabetes WA, Nyoongar Sports Association, Communities for Children, Heart Foundation, Champion Centre and Armadale Youth Resources. The inaugural festival attracted more than 200 people.

CHAMPION VIEWS

Upcoming Events Program 2012Monday 9 January – Wednesday 25 January

Australia DayMinnawarra Park – ArmadaleThursday 26 January 4pm – 8.30pm

Survival Perth 2012Supreme Court Gardens – PerthThursday 26 January

Mums n Bubs*Champion Centre– Seville GroveTuesday 7 February 10am – 2pm

Yorgalicious*Champion Centre– Seville GroveTuesday 7 February 10am – 2pm

Cooking and Budgeting*Champion Centre– Seville GroveWednesday 11am – 2pm

Champion Centre 4th Birthday CelebrationsChampion Centre– Seville GroveSaturday 10 March 10am – 2pm

Close the Gap Family ExpoChampion Centre– Seville Grove Thursday 22 March 10am – 2pm

City of Armadale Aministration CentreTel: 9399 0111Fax: 9399 0184Email: info@armadale.wa.gov.auAddress: 7 Orchard Avenue Armadale WA 6112

Council Information

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Kiya and welcome to the first edition of the Champion Views. The City of Armadale’s Indigenous newsletter is aimed at informing residents about the Champion Centre and City’s projects, programs and initiatives.

We want to focus our attention on making a great start to 2012. We look forward to bringing you events throughout the year such as our January School Holiday Program, Champion Centre 4th Birthday celebrations, National Closing the Gap day and NAIDOC as well as our regular programs.

Champion Message

* The Champion Centre receives significant funding from the Australian Government, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.

The Champion Centrenewsletter Champion Views provides residents, service providers and interested parties with information about the centre’s servies, activities and community events.

The Champion Centre on Facebook

Champion Centre Team

Jodie Indigenous Development CoordinatorI am a Noongar woman , wife & mother of three great children. I have lived in Armadale for the past 19 years. My role at the Champion Centre has lead to assisting and connecting with Aboriginal families, community and services to offer programs for lifelong learning and knowledge for all ages.

Natasha Indigenous Development Officer I am a Yamatji / Koori woman who has lived most of my life in Perth, I also have three teenage daughters and look forward to working with the Armadale Aboriginal community where I have lived for the past six years.

Tace Indigenous Families & Children’s Officer I am a 19 year old Noongar / Wongi yorga who resides in Armadale with my family. I am looking forward to providing new & fresh programs, in consultation with the Armadale Aboriginal community.

Stephanie Indigenous Trainee Officer I’m an 18 year old Noongar woman who has started a Business Administration traineeship at the Champion Centre. I play state basketball and in my spare time I love to listen to music & spending time with my family & friends.

Colleen Indigenous Families & Children’s Officer have lived in in this locality for 30 years, having raised a family & used the facilities in this area during that time. I am a noongar person and have been working with the Champion Centre for four years since it’s inception & look forward to continuing to provide services for indigenous families in this area.

Rikki Indigenous Families & Children’s Officer Hi I am Nyoongar women and mother to a three year old son. My passion is to teach and maintain environmental and indigenous partnerships.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group (ATSIAG) The purpose of this group is to advise and make recommendations to the Council on a range of issues which affect the quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the City of Armadale region. We are always looking for new members to join. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Champion Centre. For more information please call 9399 0642.

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One Stop Shop

The City is working in partnership with a number of agencies and service providers where the Champion Centre operate as a ‘One Stop Shop’ for the delivery of programs and services. Participating agencies include the Departments of Indigenous Affairs, Education, Health, Housing, Communities and Child Protection as well as WA Police and the Canning Division of General Practice.

These agencies are providing their resouces to better service this community. This initiative will provide ease of access to government services at one convenient location and show what can happen when organisations work together with mutual goals.

The aim of ‘One Stop Shop’ are to:

• Help local people access the services they need,

• Build capacity and bring together services in one convenient location,

• Increase family access to agencies by meeting the needs identified by you.

Marmun Mia-MiaSupporting the health & well-being of Aboriginal men, young & old. Health talks, activities and companionship. Thursdays at 12pm, Settlers’ CommonContact 0437 336 296

Aboriginal Driver TrainingThe Aboriginal Driver Training is in partnership with the Armadale Police, with Senior APLO Woody Humes and Jeremy Garlett. Come to the centre and sit your learner’s test where you will also watch a hazard perception movie.

Office Space AvailableThe Champion Centre has two separate offices 3m x 3m for service providers wanting to co-locate in the centre. Both offices will be available early 2012.

CHAMPIONCENTRE

On traditionalNoongar

land

A placeof gatheringand belonging

A community place that holds no barriers

Comfortable, neutral andwelcoming

A place of learning and

sharing

The Champion Centre is a gathering place for Aboriginal people, and for agencies working with Aboriginal families and communities...

We offer an inclusive neutral environment, promote healing of many groups within the local area, reconciliation,

build bridges for families, share knowledge and connect with the

Armadale community promoting hope and opportunities.

We are Aboriginal led, work in Aboriginal ways and welcome everyone.

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Champion Centre Contact Details76 Champion DriveSeville Grove WA 6112Telephone: 9399 0820Facsimile: 9498 1966Email:championcentre@armadale.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5pm

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