Resources
Culture & Knowledge
Symbols and their Meanings
This document gives an overview of the symbols used in Coomaditchie's art and the meanings behind them. View here
Unique Practices of Coomaditchie Artists
A qualitative study to explore the art-making practices of and public artworks produced by artists from the Coomaditichie Artist Cooperative. Read here
D’harawal Dictionary
Dictionary of the D’harawal Language with grammatical notes: compiled by Gavin Andrews, Frances Bodkin and Gawaian Bodkin-Andrews. Read here
D’harawal Dreaming Stories
Stories shared by Frances Bodkin (Aunty Fran). Read here
Dharawal Words
A reference for learning about Dharawal language and culture. Read here
Indigenous.gov.au
Website designed to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Government policies and programs and raise awareness about the initiatives that affect them most. Visit website
Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
The Illawarra Aboriginal Land Council (ILALC) is a not-for-profit that upholds and enacts our Community's custodial responsibility for the protection and preservation of our Country, our cultural heritage, and our knowledges and traditions while respectfully promoting and securing our stewardship of these. Visit website
Gawura Aboriginal Corporation
The Gawura Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation run by the Gawura Aboriginal Community dedicated to addressing Aboriginal people’s social, cultural, and economic concerns in the Illawarra. Visit website
Gumaraa
Gumaraa is an Aboriginal cultural experience and education company that delivers authentic Indigenous experiences for all, based on the traditions of the Dharawal and Yuin Nation. Their programs and tours serve to immerse and educate the wider community on Indigenous culture, traditions and history. Visit website
Reconciliation Australia
An independent not-for profit organisation, the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. They promote and facilitate reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Visit website
NAIDOC
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Visit website
ABC Indigenous Portal
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander stories from around the ABC & around Australia Visit website
Common Ground
Common Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories. Visit website
Services and Support
Our Community Project (NILs)
No Interest Loan (NILs) provides individuals and families on low incomes, access to safe, fair, and affordable credit. Southern NILs, located in Port Kembla and Nowra is part of Our Community Project and has been providing NILs to the Illawarra area since 2005. Southern NILs is funded by NSW Fair Trading and Department Social Services via Good Shepherd. Visit website
The Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service (IAMS)
The Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service (IAMS) strive to improve the health and wellbeing of Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community. Visit website
Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation
A not-for-profit organisation dedicated to meeting the social, cultural and economic needs of Aboriginal people in the Illawarra. Visit website
Warrawong Residents Forum
Warrawong Residents Forum provide information, resource, referral and advocacy for a variety of needs including food assistance, safety and wellbeing, mental health, drug and alcohol, fines, homelessness and housing
Visit website
Waminda
A culturally safe and holistic service. Providing women and their Aboriginal families an opportunity to belong and receive quality health & well-being support. Our key focus is to provide tailored strength based care. Visit website
Barnardos Australia
Help children and young people who have experienced trauma, to recover and thrive and where there is a risk of abuse they find safe homes for them through foster care and open adoption. They connect children, young people and families to the community to ensure they never feel isolated or alone. Visit website
Dressed for Success
The mission of Dress for Success is to help unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, development tools and professional attire to thrive in work and in life. Visit website
Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services
Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services is bridging the gap from homelessness to home by working with families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to either sustain their existing accommodation or attain and keep new tenancies through a combination of early intervention, case management, referral, advocacy and information. Visit website
Link Up
Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation provides assistance to Aboriginal people directly affected by past government policies; being separated from their families and culture through forced removal, being fostered, adopted or raised in institutions.
Link-Up (NSW) supports the healing journeys of those removed; delivering professional, culturally sensitive and confidential research, reunions and Social, Emotional and Wellbeing services to those over the age of eighteen. Visit website
South Coast Medical Service
South Coast Ams is a Non-Government (NGO), Not For Profit (NFP) Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (ACCHO) providing health, wellbeing, and family support services to communities in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Far South Coast and Goulburn areas. Visit website
Local History
Illawarra and South Coast Aborigines 1770-1850
A documented history of the Illawarra and South Coast Aborigines 1770-1850, including a chronological blibliography covering the period 1770-1990. This is volume 1. Read here
Illawarra and South Coast Aborigines 1770-1900
The following compilation of historical manuscript and published material relating to the Illawarra and South Coast Aborigines for the approximate period 1770 to 1900 aims to supplement that contained in the author's Illawarra and South Coast Aborigines 1770- 1850 (Wollongong University, 1990). Read here
Tales of Two Cities
Reporter Harrison Vesey speaks to Sheree Rankmore from the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, archaeologist Kelvin Officer, and didgeridoo teacher Dan Kennaway about traditional and modern Aboriginal culture in Wollongong. Watch here
The Fight to Save Illowra (Hill 60)
Illowra (Red Point, Ti-tree Hill or Hill 60) at Port Kembla is a site of immense cultural and spiritual significance to the Aboriginal people of the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Occupied and made use of for thousands of years, it is dotted with middens and burial sites, tangible evidence of its role in the everyday life of the local people. It is also a site of storytelling and ceremony. As a result, concerted efforts over two centuries by non-Aboriginal Australians to force the local Indigenous people to sever their connection with this area have proven unsuccessful. Read here
Illawarra Aborigines - An Introductory History
Archaeological evidence indicates Aboriginal people were resident in the Illawarra region of coastal New South Wales, Australia, for at least 20,000 years prior to the arrival of European after 1788. The non-Aboriginal view is that they reached the area as a result of migration from South-East Asia, across the former land bridge to the north, or in canoes by a similar route, and then along the coast to areas such as Sydney, Illawarra and Tasmania, where they found rich food resources. Read here
Aboriginal History of the Illawarra
A class website created by a local teacher, this site includes many helpful links and resources. Read here