1/02/2021
MDAS Constitutional Reform
Challenges and opportunities from Member forums
Members of the Mallee District Aboriginal Services have embraced the opportunity for “straight talk” to the organisation’s leadership, on the challenges and opportunities ahead in-service provision for communities across the region.
MDAS is embarking on its biggest reform agenda in almost a decade and is determined to have members and community integral to the process.
MDAS leaders and officials from the State peak body, the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, last week set out to communities in Kerang, Swan Hill and Mildura to deliver the first stage of its Constitutional Reform workshops.
MDAS Acting CEO Jacki Turfrey said members came to the forums at all sites eager to share their ideas on reform and future priorities.
“The energy from participating members was high and the discussion was direct and engaging. It was a deadly opportunity for me to be on the ground to hear our mobs’ voices firsthand,” Ms Turfrey said.
“Our MDAS teams are also focussed on the need for change, and the need to be flexible and adaptive to our community needs – and we’re excited and energised about what’s ahead,” she said.
“This was more than just the constitutional reform agenda: it was an opportunity for our mob to really have a voice and be able to have open and honest communication with their service provider like never before.”
VACCO CEO and MDAS Executive Director Jill Gallagher said self-determination and autonomy across the Mallee region were themes that emerged from the talks.
“The need to create opportunities for all communities to have their own identity and embrace self-determination was very important to many members,” Ms Gallagher said.
“There was also a strong message about the importance of working together as one to support others, being transparent and approachable to all of community and adding value to the lives of all our mobs along the Murray river.”
Ms Turfrey said she wanted to thank the MDAS staff and members at Mildura, Swan Hill and Kerang who stepped up to support the initiative and gave their voices to resetting the approach of the community-controlled organisation.
“It gave us all an opportunity to look at how we can support our diverse communities in a positive and confident way,” she said.
“It was a wonderful and humbling experience that we look forward to having again at our next workshops where we will present a proposal for reforming our constitutions.”