Naala Djookan celebrates new website

Naala Djookan Healing Centre has today launched a new website to better assist women and children experiencing family and domestic violence.

In December last year the City of Stirling proudly participated in the State Government-led ‘16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women’ campaign, whilst celebrating the first anniversary of Naala Djookan Healing Centre.

The City of Stirling provides over 200 different services to the local community, including for people who experience – or are survivors of – family and domestic violence (FDV).

Naala Djookan Healing Centre seeks to simplify access to family and domestic violence and trauma informed therapeutic supports through a range of integrated and evidence-based services in one safe, inclusive, culturally responsive and welcoming location.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the centre celebrated one year of operations on 3 December 2021, having been launched at a critical time.

“When the City first received funding support from the State Government for Naala Djookan Healing Centre, we could not have imagined the surge in support needed by the community that the COVID-19 pandemic would bring,” he said.

“Today is another milestone in the centre’s journey, with the launch of its very own website, www.naaladjookanhealingcentre.com.au, which will be serve the needs of both staff and clients in accessing services.

“Several months ago, when the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency the Hon Kim Beazley AC, accepted our invitation to tour of the City of Stirling, we wasted no time taking him to Naala Djookan to see the facilities and hear about the good work our staff and volunteers do for the community.”

Senior Coordinator for Naala Djookan Elizabeth Richards said that celebrating the one-year anniversary by launching the new website, all during the State-led campaign to end family and domestic violence, showed just how far support has come for women and children.

“It seems for the longest of times women and children suffered in silence at the hands of family and domestic violence,” she said.

“But the City of Stirling has always been at the forefront of delivering services to the most vulnerable people in our community, and we are so proud of the work we have done in just our first year.

“Over the year we’ve seen over 500 women and their children come through the centre, accessing 36 programs and over 140 different sessions, as well as the individual support we provide.”

Naala Djookan has also begun to be recognised for its work, with the centre awarded joint runner up in the 2021 Local Government Professionals WA’s Innovative Partnership Award, as well as a recently being nominated by the Institute of Public Administration Australia WA for Best Practice in Collaboration Between Government and Non-Government Organisations.

Naala Djookan ("Our Sisters") comes from the Nyoongar Dreaming Story of the Seven Sisters. Four of the sisters from the Nyoongar Dreaming Story form the Southern Cross which is reflected in the four points of the butterfly. The butterfly represents the continuation of life's journey after trauma and the guidance provided by Naala Djookan Healing Centre.

The City has supported community members experiencing family and domestic violence for more than 40 years through the Stirling Women’s Centre, the first purpose-built refuge in WA.

Naala Djookan Healing Centre was opened on 3 December 2020 by Hon Simone McGurk MLA, Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence.

The City of Stirling is the lead organisation for Naala Djookan Healing Centre in partnership with Naala Djookan Healing Centre members: Australian Childhood Foundation, Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation, Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services, Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation, Legal Aid Commission of WA, MercyCare, Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre, Sudbury Community House Association and Wadjak Northside Aboriginal Community Corporation.