New lease on life gives new hope

The recently-opened and renovated Casey Aboriginal Gathering Place has turned a former deteriorated building into a welcoming drop-in centre.
The space at 20 Adonis Street, Doveton, holds outreach health programs, social activities, men’s, art-and-yarn and homework groups.
At its formal opening on 13 July, councillor Wayne Smith said it was a place to “drop in for a yarn and a cuppa”.
It was developed based on research that showed Aboriginal Victorians were “more likely to be involved in the justice system, less likely to finish school, attend university and have a sustainable job than non-Aboriginal Victorians.
“As a group, their health status is poorer across all measures.”
Cr Damien Rosario said the gathering place was an apt location, given Casey has the highest Aboriginal population in Melbourne, including many aged under 17.
“Council completely refurbished an underutilised and deteriorated facility and opened the doors to the community earlier this year.
“The Gathering Place has since been welcomed and well-received, with the Aboriginal community already establishing a strong sense of belonging and pride with the space.”
Mayor Sam Aziz said the gathering-place model had proved to create better health outcomes.
“The Gathering Place is seen as an opportunity for creating new forms of community participation to sustain improved social, health and economic futures.”
The space was renovated by Casey council and funded by the State Government.
The opening was attended by Wurundjeri elder Diane Kerr, Boon Wurrung elder Arweet Carolyn Briggs and Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative Limited chief executive Andrew Gardiner.
The State Government was represented by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Natalie Hutchins and Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams.