8/01/2021

MDAS meetings consider constitution reform


Member meetings next week


A series of community consultation meetings across the Mallee next week will help set priorities for reforming the Constitution of the region’s key Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, Mallee District Aboriginal Services.
A membership drive last year increased MDAS’ membership from less than 30 to upwards of 400 members and was the first step in a push to return the organisation to its roots.
MDAS Interim Chairman Damien Murray said the surge of new members and a record turnout at the Annual General Meeting in November were clear evidence of a community wanting to drive its own future.
“The community wants change and wants to be involved.  The new board is committed to an ongoing process of community engagement,” Mr Murray said.
“There has been a lot of change in a short period of time, but we are committed to bringing a community voice to our board and having a stable leadership team to lead us through the process of reform.  We must earn the confidence of all of our Mallee communities,” he said.
“The next step in our reform process is a series of member meetings to consider reforms to our foundation document, the MDAS Constitution.”
Member-only meetings are being held at Kerang on January 12, Swan Hill on January 13 and Mildura on January 14.
“We won’t be able to agree on everything, but everyone will have a say and there will be an opportunity to ask questions and have input into MDAS’ future direction,” Mr Murray said.
“History will show this is a turning point for our Mallee mobs.  Self-determination is what Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) stand for – and that is what our new MDAS members signed up to and voted for at the AGM.”
Mr Murray said the board had appointed an interim chair and deputy chair, because that was the most appropriate course of action until constitutional reform has been delivered.
“While a lot of our energy in the latter part of last year was focussed on returning MDAS to community control, that is only half of the story,” he said.
“From a governance point of view, Constitutional reform is the key challenge ahead of us for our shared future.  We encourage all members to take the opportunity to learn more about our MDAS Constitution and yarn about the changes needed.
“If we have learnt anything this past year, it’s that when Mob works together, we can do amazing things. 
“We have acknowledged our issues of the past and we are now working to address those problems and emerge as a stronger, community-focussed organisation that truly represents us, our concerns and our achievements.”
Registration is compulsory (due to COVID-19 requirements) for the Constitutional Reform meetings.  Details for registration are available on the MDAS website www.mdas.org.au

Pictured: MDAS Interim Chairman Damien Murray

Other News

MDAS calls for kindness ahead of referendum
NAIDOC art competition winner announced
Background and geography shouldn't dictate health outcomes
MDAS calls on community to have their say
MDAS Responds to new Victorian legislation
MDAS Appoints Chief Executive
MDAS puts out call for Board nominations
Progress at MDAS
NAIDOC Awards recognise Mildura community leaders
Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! this NAIDOC Week
Koori community Gets Up! Stands Up! Shows Up! for NAIDOC
MDAS renewal taking shape
National Reconciliation Week a time for healing
New gathering place for Aboriginal Elders
COVID Vaccination clinic at Mildura Primary School
MDAS Annual Report
Strategic Plan sets new direction for MDAS
ACCO Vaccine Van back in Mildura
Nominations for MDAS Board
MDAS Annual General Meeting
Mildura Public Holiday Arrangements
COVID-19 Vaccine Van heading to Mallee
COVID-19 Update Swan Hill Kerang October 15 2021
COVID-19 Update October 8, 2021
Response to current outbreak
Koori Night Patrol hits the road again
MDAS Clinic not a COVID-19 exposure site
Board Update - July-August 2021
MDAS pilots Victorian first
NOTICE TO COMMUNITY- COVID-19
MDAS welcomes new Board members
A circle that's changing lives, one family at a time
COVID-19 Vaccine for over 12s
MDAS Mildura reopens in a COVID-safe way
MDAS Closed due to COVID-19
Pfizer vaccine supply secure at MDAS
Board Update - June 2021
Positive future as MDAS reform journey continues
Board Update May 2021
Extension of vaccine rollout program at MDAS
Mallee Mobs urged to vaccinate
COVID-19 Update - MDAS Services
Board Update
MDAS Members approve new constitution
Information about Influenza Vaccine
MDAS no longer at Menera Station
Koori Youth Night Patrol is back!
MDAS CEO announcement
Constitutional Reform Workshops Cancelled
MDAS renewal takes shape
Coloring Competition
MDAS Constitutional Reform
Design our Sunraysia 2021 footy jumper
Reports from our Annual General Meeting
MDAS meetings consider constitution reform
Christmas Message from MDAS
New faces at MDAS Board table
MDAS Board Nominations
MDAS meet and greet with new Community Leadership Group
Call to community from MDAS leadership
Welcome to Acting CEO Jacki Turfrey
Chilly art at Robinvale
Lockdown brings out NAIDOC winner’s artistic side
Letter of Introduction - Jill Gallagher
Save the Date for our AGM - Saturday November 28, 2020
Focus on fresh food collaboration
Community Leadership Group 2020
Young artist winners announced
Our Mob Speaks Update
MDAS innovations supporting community in COVID-19
Service delivery 'COVID-normal' at MDAS
On-the-spot COVID-19 testing to help protect our mobs
Free Meningococcal B Vaccine for Aboriginal children
Art competition to design Aboriginal breast screen shawl
$1000 prizes for Mallee female artists
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey
Touching tribute to the Stolen Generations
A touching tribute for Sorry Day
Listening to Our Mob Speak
Local voice part of Reconciliation event
Statement - CEO resignation
Coronavirus information
Coronavirus - Am I At Risk?
Get painting for Mallee NAIDOC design competition
Good food for hungry tummies!
Swan Hill Art Competition Winners
Award nominations for Swan Hill Youth team
New Aged Care and Disability Services hub open for business
Swan Hill-Kerang Indigenous Art competition
Reward and Recognition
Mallee Tigers take out state title at VACSAL
Mallee Tigers roar towards Indigenous carnival
Victorian First Peoples urged to ‘get enrolled’
Gambling research paper published
Hands-on fun for Aboriginal Children's Day
Menera Farm a hive of activity
Weekly Koori News July 5 & 6
Weekly Koori News June 28 - 29
Koori News June 14-15
MDAS Robinvale office open for business
Trying to get in touch at Kerang?
Make a change! EVOLVE!
Calls to share autism experience
Tick of approval in accreditations
MDAS Mildura celebrates Close the Gap Day
New mums' group reaches new families
Robinvale staff on the move
Bringing cultural knowledge to kinder
MDAS leading the way on better services for elders
Welcome to our new board member
Wearing red for heart health
Kick Start to a heathy 2019
New advertising campaign targets family violence
MDAS Clinician recognised for leadership
HIPPY celebration for happy graduates
Men's healing gives back to the community
New pharmacy service at MDAS
Research calling for input from Koori cancer patients
Talking out the challenges together
Gambling no laughing matter
Spring 2018 Newsletter out now!
Know a Deadly Hero?
Gambling figures prompt Mildura forum
Robinvale Men's Program going strong
Congratulations to our NAIDOC Award winners
Deadly Choices comes to the Mallee
Partnership takes smoke-free message to shoppers

MALLEE DISTRICT ABORIGINAL SERVICES  “Our Vision: "Self-determined, healthy, robust and culturally strong Aboriginal communities across the Mallee region."
NEWS
8/09/2023

MDAS calls for kindness ahead of referendum

Read more

13/06/2023

NAIDOC art competition winner announced

Read more

5/04/2023

Background and geography shouldn't dictate health outcomes

Read more

5/04/2023

MDAS calls on community to have their say

Read more

24/02/2023

MDAS Responds to new Victorian legislation

Read more

EVENTS
13/12/2022
2023

Events Calendar

View event






MILDURA
120 Madden Avenue Mildura
Phone (03) 5018 4100

SWAN HILL
70 Nyah Road Swan Hill
Phone (03) 5032 8600

KERANG
9 Nolan Street Kerang
Phone (03) 5412 6004




Interested in*:







MDAS - Quality Innovation Performance Accredited
MDAS - Quality Innovation Performance Accredited