ARNHEM LAND: Galiwin’ku Women’s Space
On September 15th and 16th, 2021 Galiwin’ku Women’s Space hosted an Empowerment Conference for women in Galiwin’ku and Nhulunbuy. MAF partnered with them to provide transport for the speakers at this event. The speakers addressed topics such as, courage, suicide prevention, lived experiences, hope, community leadership and collaboration.
MAF’s mission statement says that we aim to bring help, hope and healing to the people around us, using aviation. On Wednesday the 15th of September, MAF Arnhem Land were able to do this by providing transportation for the speakers for a conference, which aimed to support the mental health and well being of women in Galiwin’ku.
In a small indigenous town on Elcho Island, is where “Galiwin’ku Women’s space” operates. Part of their vision statement says, “… we will support women, children and families (including men) in Galiwin’ku to overcome domestic and family violence by providing a range of crisis and preventative support resources and services. We seek to achieve this by empowering women in the community to come together to support and encourage the healing and well being of each other and that of our community. …”
In the past MAF Arnhem Land has worked with Galiwin’ku Women’s Space (GWS) by providing flights for staff or for individuals who are experiencing family violence and need to leave the community. But on this occasion, MAF was able to work alongside GWS to provide transportation for the key speakers for a ‘Women’s Empowerment Conference’ that was held in Galiwin’ku on the 15th of September, and then in Nhulunbuy the following day.
alongside women at the Galiwin’ku Women’s Space in Arnhem Land.
Four prominent speakers contributed to the conference including, Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann AM, Senior Australian of the Year in 2021 and Aboriginal Elder. Professor MaryAnn Bin- Sallik AM, who was the first Indigenous person to graduate as a trained nurse from Darwin Hospital and the first to gain a Doctorate from Harvard University. Wendy Burns, an internationally renowned Coach and Mentor and Senior Aboriginal Community Police Officer and Chairperson of Galinwin’ku Women’s Space, Bettina Danganbarr.
The conference attendees listened to moving personal stories, participated in workshops addressing topics such as courage, suicide prevention, lived experiences, hope, community leadership and collaboration. Rebecca Forrest, one of the organisers of the conference explains, “With social issues a continuing concern in Australia, and in particular the Northern Territory, this opportunity to connect people in remote locations was invaluable and the feedback has been overwhelming with every attendee agreeing that this initiative needs to be a feature on the annual East Arnhem event calendar with Galwin’ku Women’s Space Chairperson, Bettina Danganbarr, pushing for a remote tour.
Internationally acclaimed author and mentoring coach, Wendy Burns, was one of the speakers and workshop facilitator for this event. She shared her tragic story of family suicide and sexual assault, however, she maintains that it is through sharing our stories and lived experience that brings courage.
More than seventy women attended the event in Galiwin’ku and ninety attendees in Nhulunbuy with positive responses about the content, the quality of the presenters and the need for remote communities to have access to initiatives that support empowerment and mental health and well being.”