On 13 February 2009, the first anniversary of the motion of Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples, the Australian Government announced its intention to establish a Healing Foundation to address trauma and aid healing in Indigenous communities, with a particular focus on the Stolen Generations. $26.6 million over four years was allocated in the 2009-2010 Budget to establish the Healing Foundation.
The report, Voices from the campfires: Establishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation is the culmination of four months of consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop a model for establishing the Foundation.
More than 450 people attended 18 workshops and forums across Australia, and 48 written submissions were received.
The Foundation will empower communities to deal with health and social issues arising through loss and grief by:
- Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing initiatives at the community level and in response to local needs by providing funding and workforce development.
- Conducting health promotion and public education activities in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing, including skills training in the prevention and treatment of trauma.
- Contributing to an evidence base for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing through community-driven and cultural appropriate research and evaluation.
The Australian Government thanks all those people who had the courage and the faith in the importance of healing, to tell their own stories and acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Development Team and the team's patron, Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue.
The Foundation was incorporated on 30 October 2009 and began operations under an Interim Board. The Inaugural Board was appointed in late 2009 and held its first meeting on 14 December 2009. Board directors are:
- Chair: Ms Florence Onus
- Deputy Chair: Debra Hocking
- Secretary: Judy Atkinson
- Treasurer: Noeleen Lopes
- Directors: Graham Gee, Toni Janke-Demmery
Three further Board positions are expected to be appointed early in 2010. With the finalisation of appointments to the Board, the Foundation will become fully operational in the first half of 2010.
More information
Contact the Foundation:
Phone: (02) 6273 0722
Fax: (02) 6273 0431
Email: info@healingfoundation.org.au
Website: www.healingfoundation.org.au
Mailing Address:
PO Box 4363
Kingston ACT 2604