A celebration of shared heritage

This National Reconciliation Week (27 May-3 June), the Elders at Waminda Social and Community Hub are celebrating their cultural heritage with the launch of new branding for their hub.

A sand goanna, affectionately known to the Elders as Anna, takes pride of place on the new signage at the Bribie Island hub. Surrounded by Gubbi Gubbi and Ningy Ningy country, the group at Waminda Social and Community Hub are strongly connected to the local community and Anna has been a treasured mascot and an important part of the Hub’s identity for many years.

Centacare General Manager Joanne Roy said the organisation worked with the Elders at the Hub over a period of 12 months to understand the importance of the way Waminda is presented to the local community and the significance of cultural elements like the sand goanna and the name ‘Waminda’, which means place of friendship.

“All our services are inclusive and welcoming of Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients and our teams respect and strive to respond to the cultural needs of individual clients and their local communities,” said Ms Roy.

“National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and this project was an opportunity to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the richness of First Nation’s cultures and histories.”

Aunty Barb, 85, was one of several Elders who consulted with Centacare on the design for the new signage. “We felt really listened to and there was a great amount of care taken to get everything right. It’s just wonderful, I have goosebumps,” she said.

Waminda is often invited to attend school events in the local area and Centacare supports clients to visit local kindergartens where our Elders share their stories and enjoy traditional activities with the children.