ABOUT US
Aboriginal World Views
Who we are
Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that supports vulnerable children, young people and families that fall within the Central Coast Council area (formerly known as the Wyong LGA).
We care for the community’s social and emotional wellbeing, foster connection to culture, and support individuals and families to thrive through services that are developmentally and age appropriate.
Philosophy
In the spirit of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People, we aim to provide a high standard of family-based care and cultural therapy to support individual and cultural identities. Aboriginal children and young people have the right to be cared for in a family environment and to be part of a wider cultural community that supports them and fosters their cultural learning.
We replicate a system of care that the Aboriginal World Views encourage: one that is collaborative, consultative and engages all stakeholders to provide the best care for the community. Aboriginal World Views have been disrupted, so it is critical that our partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders and agencies within our community are nurtured.
We are committed to promoting the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all Aboriginal families, children and young people in our care and to respecting their rights and the rights of their families and carers.
Together with the community, will ensure that cultural learnings are nurtured and developed throughout the lives of Aboriginal families, children and young people. Our focus is on maintaining existing connections and creating reconnections to family, country and community. These connections and reconnections are vital for a true sense of belonging, an acceptance of self, and recovery from trauma.
Our approach is guided by:
Country
Population
In the 2021 ABS Census, 17,047 people identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, up from 12,483 people in the 2016 ABS Census – a 37% increase. This represents 4.9% of the population which is above the state and national averages of 3.4% and 3.2% respectively.
Young People
Darkinjung Country is undergoing a significant generational shift, with the Aboriginal population overwhelmingly young. Young people (those aged between 0 and 24 years) make up 53.5% of the Indigenous population in the Central Coast, with a median age of 23. This is in stark contrast to the median age of the entire Central Coast population – 43 – with young people making up just 29% of the total population.
Employment
In July 2022, the youth unemployment rate in Darkinjung Country was 6.2%. The difficulties faced by rural and regional jobseekers compared to those living in cities where job opportunities are more plentiful is well documented – lack of career prospects, limited training opportunities and lack of transport. In addition, during difficult economic times, young people are often the first to be laid off, as was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. This hinders their ability to build skills and experience.
Our Role
GNL provides a central place for Aboriginal families, children and young people to discuss issues and find support in a culturally safe environment. It is also a place where culturally-appropriate guidance, wisdom, coaching and mentoring can be imparted to young people, so they are empowered to thrive.
About
Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi is an Aboriginal organisation on the Central Coast of NSW representing the Aboriginal communities that fall within the Local government areas of Wyong and Gosford.
In 2011, a group of local Aboriginal women concerned for the growing number of Aboriginal children from the area entering out of home care, were driven by a wish to provide care for families, children and young people within the context of their cultural community.
The name Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi is from the Darkinjung language and means ‘listen to the children’. This principle forms the basis of our core belief that Aboriginal families, children and young people need to be connected to their community and culture and to participate and contribute to their story.
The GNL Backstory
“From little things, big things grow” – Kev Carmody & Paul Kelly
The dreaming of Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi (listen to the children) began in 2011. A collective of Aboriginal women living on Darkinyung Country, started yarning about the need to develop culturally relevant responses to Aboriginal families, children and young people experiencing trauma on the central coast. The collective was supported by the Benevolent Society to explore community development options, specifically the need for Aboriginal organisations in the community to address gaps in service delivery.
The collective were focused on addressing gaps in service delivery for young Aboriginal people and were alarmed about the over-representation of Aboriginal children in out of home care. This coupled with a growing recognition that there was no Aboriginal organisation addressing this matter, became a high priority for the group. The collective believed there was a cultural responsibility to provide continuity of care and support these young people and local Aboriginal families strengthen their Aboriginal identities.
In 2013, with the support and guidance of the Benevolent Society, the dream of creating a service that would care for our families, children and young people on our country became a reality when Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi became incorporated. The name held particular significance and Aunt Nola Leslie suggested we name the service Listen to the Children. The Darkinyung Language group translated this to Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi.
Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi developed its constitution and was successful in gaining funding through the Beneovelent Society to deliver early educational experiences and early intervention programs that would enhance the lives of our families and connect them to their country. Fundamentally, this meant that GNL became operational.
In 2015, Barnardos and GNL began discussions about the development of a program to support Aboriginal children living in out of home care, which led to a partnership between the two organisations. In 2016, GNL and Barnardos launched the Gudjagang Darkinyung Out of Home Care Service, with the partnership program lasting for two years. The program is now managed by Barnardos.
In 2018, in response to issues affecting Aboriginal youth and their transition to adulthood, The Barudir Project was launched. Barudir was a platform for youth to engage in creative learning and development in specific areas including project management, group work, leadership, service knowledge, system navigation and employment pathways.
Today, Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi continues to deliver a range of community-based programs to build the capacity and empower Aboriginal families, children and youth from the GNL Community space in Wyong.
Vision
‘Listen to the Children’
Statement of Purpose
Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi empowers the lives of our young Aboriginal children, young people and families living on Darkinyung country.
Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi provides positive opportunities for inclusion in relationships, community experiences and activities, connections through country, spirituality and culture that promote a true sense of belonging and happiness.
Values
Dadirri – Deep listening to one another; continual cultural learning – the importance of identity and connections; shared community responsibility for children and young people; the provision of a culturally safe environment; strengths based practice; resilience; trauma informed care practices; social justice and recognition and genuine respect for Aboriginal decision making (Miriam Rose Ungenmerr).
Our Partners