The Returning, an Indigenous women-led not-for-profit organisation based in Mullumbimby, has taken on four Aboriginal programs after the closure of the Murwillumbah Community Centre.
In 2018, Bundjalung woman Ella Bancroft started a three-day women’s gathering that brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to connect to Country, themselves, ancestral skills, and wellness.
‘The ticket prices aim to facilitate single mothers and Indigenous women being able to participate at no cost,’ said Ella, describing the event.
Creating connections
The Returning has grown out of that event and now runs a range of programs and events to meet the needs of Bundjalung people, as well as providing learning, and a bridge between First Nations and other cultures.
‘We have recently taken over four Indigenous-based programs that previously ran out of the Murwillumbah Community Centre. These include Guyahn Early Childhood Playgroup, Kids Caring For Country After School Program, Aboriginal Family Support Service and The Kinship Festival.
‘Other programs they are supporting are the Doobai Bundjalung Bush Food Youth Program that empowers local Indigenous teenage girls by connecting to them Country, community, culture and learning skills related to weaving, gardening, beekeeping, skincare, and cooking with native foods.
‘Mothercare, a program that provides traditional bushfood dishes that have been cooked and are delivered to mothers after they have given birth, has recently been extended to ‘support Aunties and carers who have found themselves looking after extra children and babies,’ said Ella.
The Bulaan Dalang Galii Naa Gan Ngaa Leen Duu artists’ residency is a 12-month program for First Nations creatives on Bundjalung Country.
Bundjalung Bushfood Nursery
To help support these and other programs, The Returning is starting up the Bundjalung Bushfood Nursery in Myocum. This will help grow seedlings, provide employment and training, and connection to Country. To help get the nursery off the ground, The Returning is running a raffle and crowdfunder.
Get involved
The raffle is running from now until 1 June and has thousands of dollars worth of prizes such as Byron Writer’s Festival double passes, a range of amazing gift packs and vouchers, and a Rita Watson painting.
They will also be launching a Chuffed Crowdfunding campaign on 1 June to help raise money for the new bushfood nursery. As one of the few Indigenous-run charities with DGR status, all donations to the crowdfunder are completely tax-deductible.
‘We are aiming to raise around $40,000, with all proceeds from the raffle and the crowdfunder going directly towards the establishment of our Bundjalung Bushfood Nursery,’ said Ella.
You can buy raffle tickets here: https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=5w5nx.
Or make an EOFY donation here: https://chuffed.org/project/the-returning-bush-food-nursery from 1 June.
Find out more about the range of programs run at: www.thereturning.com.au.
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