Central Coast
This year, our work on the Central Coast within the Aboriginal Community, in partnership with
Mingaletta Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Corporation, has continued to strengthen and develop
through the efforts of Stuart McMinn, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Liaison
Worker. The Mingaletta Didge Group, a group for Aboriginal young people focusing on culture,
continued its growth activities. The g roup is now working towards incorporation to provide a
sustainable long term base for its work.
Stuart also assisted in establishing a Men’s Depression Group which quickly and successfully
engaged Aboriginal men. A positive and highly productive On Country Day was conducted for all
Central Coast staff to assist our staff to work effectively with Aboriginal communities and clients.
Throughout the year, we maintained and developed collaborative working relationships with other
agencies working in the area of family violence. This collaborative approach to service delivery
is essential, as a significant proportion of clients using the Family Dispute Resolution services
experience family violence. We were active members of the Central Coast Domestic Violence
Committee and participated in many local Family Violence awareness events. Four staff members
attend local courts on a regular basis and support the Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme.
These staff are also members of the organising committee for the Family Law Pathways Network.
Work has commenced to design and establish an Integrated Family Dispute Resolution Program in
partnership with BaptistCare, a specialist provider of family violence services.
The Central Coast region assisted 3,516 people this year.
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From left: Central Coast staff On Country Day and the Mingaletta Didge Group