Community ideas wanted for Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation inaugural strategic plan

Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation is seeking input from the community as it puts together its first strategic plan. Two sessions will be conducted in the South West with meetings in Bunbury on Tuesday, August 20 and Collie the following day. The idea behind the plan, also referred to as Moorditj Mila (strong future), is for members to have their say on the future of the Aboriginal corporation for the next five to seven years. GKBAC membership and community liaison officer Teressa Michael said the sessions would help identify the needs of the community. “The first stage of the strategic plan is to get out to our communities now to look at ways of developing programs that benefit our people,” she said. “It’s also to look at ways of establishing relationships with the wider communities as well to move forward in terms of reconciliation as well.” The planning will be founded on two questions: what community priorities are GKBAC best-placed to support, and how will GKBAC grow its financial and corporate capacity to deliver on these priorities? Ms Michael said the community sessions would be an opportunity for members of the public to share their thoughts. “It’s also an opportunity for our people to come forward,” she said. “A truth-telling session where they can speak openly and transparently about their thoughts of ways of working better in addressing our social and cultural needs as well as the communities’.” There will be a total of five sessions, beginning in Rockingham. To register interest in one of the meetings you can contact GKBAC on 08 6717 0010 or email teressa.michael@gkb.org.au.