Still Bringing Them Home - Volume 44 | May - June 2020 - Link-Up (Qld)
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Volume 44 | May - June 2020 Still Bringing Them Home
Chairperson - Ken Murphy
At the moment, we can travel with many of the protesters
anywhere in Queensland which is wearing face masks, organisers
great news and I know all of our handing out hand sanitiser and
Link-Up (Qld) staff are looking efforts being made towards
forward to being able to get back social distancing.
to some sort of normal life with
reunions, morning teas and other
events being cautiously planned
Black Lives Matter
for. As we have seen though, the is an international
rules and regulations can, and
do, often change so please keep movement that
up to date by looking at credible has seen people
websites for current information.
These are listed on page 11 all over the world
of this magazine.
make a stand
Our Link-Up (Qld) staff continue to
Ken Murphy
show their strength and resilience against racism and
To all our Link-Up (Qld) families during this challenging period. inequality.
and friends, I hope you are staying Zoom meetings and on-line
training are still continuing in
safe and healthy.
some areas and all staff members
In Australia,
At the time of writing, we don’t
have many people infected with
are very careful with their more people are
hygiene practises.
Coronavirus in Queensland, so the becoming aware
government has thankfully lifted Thank you to everyone who helped
many of the lockdown restrictions put together our on-line National of current and
Sorry Day livestream, especially
that we had earlier.
Sam Watson Junior, we hope you
past injustices
It feels like we have gotten through
the worst of it, but we know this
enjoyed it. Thank you also to all against Aboriginal
our guest speakers on the day. If
virus hasn’t gone away. We have you haven’t had a chance to watch and Torres Strait
recently seen the southern states it yet, you can still watch it. Go to
have a rapid increase in their www.link-upqld.org.au/national-
Islander people
Coronavirus cases, and Victoria
has entered lockdown again. Our
sorry-day-2020/ and follow the and realise that
links to watch it either on Facebook
hearts are with them. or Youtube. major change is
We all still need be careful in Our cover photo for this magazine needed.
Queensland. Keep on washing was taken on 6 June at the Black
your hands, sneezing or coughing Lives Matter rally in Brisbane and
into elbows or tissues, and try not shows just some of the thousands
to be close to others. If you do and thousands of people who
have to be somewhere where you joined together all round the
are close to others, wear a mask. country and world to protest
We need to keep our against institutionalised racism.
community safe. More powerful photos are on
pages 4-5 of this magazine. The
large crowds were well organised,
This issue’s Cover Story Disclaimer
Photo by Brad Whelan: Black Lives Matter - Whilst every effort has been made to respect
cultural traditions, Indigenous readers are
Stop Black Deaths in Custody Rally in advised that this publication may contain
King George Square, Brisbane images of people who are deceased.
2
CEO - Patricia Thompson
We thank and acknowledge Framework for Link-Up Services.
the clients featured in our book Kathleen’s team also developed
who have courageously shared monitoring tools to assist us to
their stories. capture important data to assess
impact on client’s wellbeing.
They are snapshot Collecting data is important to
ensure that our services are
stories – windows meeting our client needs to the
high standard.
only – but with a
We were pleased to host a skilled
power to fill your volunteer to work with us during
heart with warmth, the past financial year. Coolamon
Advisors, in partnership with the
and yet leave your Department of Education and
Training implemented a skilled
Patricia Thompson
heart broken. Our Volunteering Program which
clients open a truth involved selected employees from
the department having a unique
Here we are at the end of the
financial year and a very challenging
to what is the lived opportunity to volunteer their skills,
in a cultural immersion experience,
one it has been. I firstly want to realities for our with local Indigenous organisations.
congratulate Link-Up (Qld) staff
for their efforts over the past year. Stolen Generations. The outcome from this volunteer
Despite some very challenging program was a successful funding
It was a wonderful opportunity at
times, staff have continued to carry application from the Truth, Healing
the book launch for clients featured
on our incredibly important work and Reconciliation Grants Program
in the book to participate in a
each and every day supporting our to run Music Therapy Workshops.
Yarning Circle which was held at
Stolen Generations. Initially these workshops were
kuril dhargun centre at the State
Library. It was a culturally safe scheduled to run in March 2020,
A significant achievement of the
space for everyone to meet, share however COVID-19 forced us to
past year has been the launch of
and connect with each other. reschedule them to October 2020.
our 35 Years 35 Stories book in
November 2019. This publication Overall, our work here at Link-
We were also involved in working
was months of not only hard work, Up (Qld) is very challenging but
collaboratively with beyond….
but heart work of our dedicated also very rewarding. On behalf of
(Kathleen Stacey and Associates)
staff. A small team worked solidly management and staff, I would
and Link-Up services around the
on this and we are proud of the like to thank the Board for their
country on the Link-Up Evaluation
final product. The work involved leadership, care and support
and Monitoring Framework project
identifying and locating clients throughout the past financial year.
funded by the Department of
back to Link-Up (Qld) beginnings in
Prime Minister and Cabinet. The
1984, conducting interviews, writing
project provided the platform for
client stories, collating photographs
an impact evaluation of Link-Up
and coordinating the book design.
services. Individual Link-Up services
I want to particularly thank the
at various national leadership
research team for their dedication
meetings had discussions about
and commitment to this project.
measuring outcomes and how
35 Years 35 Stories is a celebration challenging that has been due to
of Link-Up (Qld)’s important work the complexity and sensitivity of
and the significant milestone services delivered.
we have reached in our 35th
All Link-Up services were involved
Anniversary. More importantly,
in this project and worked closely
it is a celebration of the tenacity,
with the beyond... team. The
power and resilience of our Stolen
final outcome of this project was
Generations people.
an Evaluation and Monitoring
3
Black Lives Matter - Brisbane Rally
All photographs reproduced on this page and on the cover were taken by Brad Whelan and printed here with his permission
www.BradfordWhelan.com
4
All photographs reproduced on this page were taken by Dylan Crawford and printed here with his permission.
5
Greg Duffy Reunion - Brisbane
Greg Duffy and his cousin Steven Lynch at the Link-Up (Qld) office
Hello, my name is Greg Duffy and As they got older, they started I mentioned to Donna at one of the
I was born Kevin Dudley Lynch asking questions about their morning teas that I played guitar,
on the 15/07/1956 at the Royal heritage and where we came from. and she came up with a crazy
Brisbane Hospital. I was adopted idea. What better way to establish
by Noel and Joan Duffy, even Around 2006 I contacted Jigsaw for
identity and heritage than to play
though my papers stated that I information, but they couldn’t help
and sing a song she picked out for
was not suitable for adoption as at the time, red tape again.
me called ‘Feels Like Home To Me’
“this one is showing colour.” Joan Some years passed before I started at the 35 Year Anniversary Gala
took me home and raised me as looking again. I was informed Night at City Hall. It was an honour
her own child, along with Joan’s of Link-Up who I contacted and and an experience of a lifetime,
daughter and my three siblings arranged a meeting. With only thanks Donna.
that later came from Nudgee my adoption papers, I had no real
Orphanage. Due to the persistence of the
source of identity. I was assigned
research team, we finally confirmed
My adoptive parents loved and Mr Sloane Stallan as my case
my identity. My family now has
raised us all as their own and worker and the team went to work.
roots that would eventually lead
provided a great family life. But Along the way I’ve met some us to Waluwarra mob on the
I always felt the odd one out. I wonderful people. My case moved Georgina River.
loved Noel and Joan, they were on to Mr Jason Ives who along with
great parents, but I always felt the After years of searching, out of
the research team Ms Ruth Loli
yearning for mum, the land and the blue Jason calls and says, “I
and Link-Up (Qld)’s CEO, Ms Pat
how things could have been. At think we found your cousin Steven
Thompson all helped me. Thanks
that time nothing could be done to in Townsville!” Well I nearly hit
to all the staff at Link-Up who have
try and find my mob. Red tape and the floor; I never thought this day
supported me through this process.
government restrictions made it would come. Jason said there was
Along with all my friends at
impossible to track them down. a bit more checking to do, and he
Link-Up morning teas and everyone
will get back to me soon. At
Years went by, I got married twice. involved and of course the late
home, my family was buzzing
Along with my wife of 33 years Uncle Sam Watson, a wonderful
with the news.
Karen, we raised five great kids and man and warrior for us all.
now have five fantastic grandkids.
6
It was in March 2020 at the Link-Up spent time at the grave sites of
office at Woolloongabba that for our grandfather who was a WW1
the first time in 63 years I met a veteran in the light horse regiment
blood relative. and our uncle. We both didn’t
It was an amazing know they were there. It was a
special time for us all.
moment in time To the Link-Up Team - due to your
- when you look professionalism and dedication
you’ve helped me in many ways
eye to eye with a to reach my goal of finding my
man you’ve never family and hopefully leading to my
mother. Your work is done, and my
met and feel the case is closed!
warmth and love From the bottom of my heart,
I thank you all.
straight up.
His name is Steven Lynch and
along with his lovely wife Kimberly
and my wife Karen, we spent a
couple of fantastic days together.
Steve shared stories of the family Steven Lynch and Greg Duffy at
Toowong Cemetary
and is happy to help fill in the
gaps wherever he can. We also
Karen, Greg Duffy, Steven Lynch and Kimberley Cousins: Steven Lynch and Greg Duffy
Link-Up (Qld) SEWB Counsellor Anne Garrett, Karen, Greg Duffy, Karen, Kimberley, Steven and Greg with Link-Up (Qld) staff
Steven Lynch, Kimberley and Service Delivery Manager Jason members Jason Ives, Rebecca Oberle and Anne Garrett at
Ives at Toowong Cemetary Toowong Cemetary
7
Client Care Packages - Home deliveries
During April and May, the communities in lockdown such as We hope this offered our
dedicated Link-Up (Qld) staff in Yarrabah and Palm Island where clients some support during
the Brisbane and Cairns offices put they were gratefully received. this very challenging period
together and home delivered over as we tried to stay connected as
100 care packages to our clients. Each box contained fresh fruit much as possible.
and vegetables, milk, eggs, non-
Care packages were delivered perishable goods, gift cards and
throughout Brisbane, Cairns, the hygiene products like sanitiser,
Tablelands and Lockyer Valley. soap and even toilet paper, which
With the help of some past clients, was a valuable commodity
packages were even delivered to at that time.
8
9
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - Update as at 22/07/2020
The following information was • people in correctional and • Clean your hands regularly with
taken from the Aboriginal and detention facilities soap and water or alcohol-based
Torres Strait Islander Legal Service hand rubs.
(Qld) (ATSILS) website: • people in group residential
www.atsils.org.au and the settings • Cover your nose and mouth with
Australian Government a tissue or bent elbow when
People who are, or are more likely coughing or sneezing.
Department of Health Website: to be, at higher risk of serious
www.health.gov.au illness if they get the virus are: • Avoid touching your face, nose,
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large and mouth. And avoid shaking
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait hands.
family of viruses that cause illness Islander people 50 years and
ranging from the common cold older with one or more chronic • Stay home if you are unwell.
to more severe diseases such as medical conditions
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome • Avoid contact with anyone
(MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute • people 65 years and older with who is unwell – try to stay 1.5m
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). chronic medical conditions away from anyone coughing or
A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new sneezing.
• people 70 years and older
strain that has not been previously
identified in humans. Potential ways you may contract
• people with compromised the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
immune systems include:
COVID-19 is an infectious disease
caused by a new coronavirus
introduced to humans for the first Social Distancing • someone with the virus sneezes
time. It is spread from person to or coughs onto you
Social distancing in public means
person mainly through the droplets people: • someone with the virus coughed
produced when an infected person or sneezed onto a surface (like a
speaks, coughs or sneezes. • stay at home and only go out if it door handle) that you touch, and
is absolutely essential you get the infected droplets
ATSILS
• keep 1.5 metres away from on your hands and then transfer
them to your mouth, nose or
Symptoms others
eyes when you touch your face
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range • avoid physical greetings such as or eat.
from mild illness to pneumonia. handshaking, hugs and kisses
Remember: Looking after yourself
Some people will recover easily,
• use tap and go instead of cash by eating a healthy, balanced diet,
and others may get very sick very
getting regular physical activity,
quickly. • travel at quiet times and avoid sleeping well and reducing stress is
crowds important all the time.
People with coronavirus may
experience: • avoid public gatherings and at ATSILS
risk groups like older people
• fever
• practise good hygiene Sorry Business and
• symptoms such as coughing, a
Funerals During COVID-19
sore throat and fatigue Australian Government
Department of Health Sorry Business and other cultural
• shortness of breath
activities are very important. From
Who is most at risk Protect Yourself and the 10 July 2020, funerals can be
Community attended by a maximum of 100
In Australia, the people most at risk people. It is still important to stay
of getting the virus are: It is important we all play our home if you are unwell.
part in preventing the spread of
• travellers who have recently been novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
overseas Queensland Health recommends
5 important ways we can all follow
• those who have been in close
help stop the spread of viruses:
contact with someone who has
been diagnosed with COVID-19
10Together Queenslanders have Queenslanders can travel anywhere Queensland Health:
slowed the spread of COVID-19 in Queensland for any reason. www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus
by following advice and using There is no limit on distance. You
common sense to safeguard can stay overnight anywhere in Australian Department of Health:
ourselves and our communities. Queensland for as many nights www.health.gov.au/news/health-
As a result, the Queensland as you like. alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-
Government will continue to ease ncov-health-alert
restrictions on getting together, Qld Health
World Health Organisation:
outings and recreational activities www.who.int/emergencies/
within Queensland. Keep Up to Date
diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
From midday 3 July 2020, As the impact of the virus in
Queenslanders will be able to Queensland changes, advice will
gather in groups of up to 100 change, so it is important to get
people in homes and public up-to-date advice from credible
spaces. sources. We recommend following
updates from:
11Cairns Update
LUQ monthly client support group LUQ Cairns is in the process of reflection songs with the aid of a
has been put on hold throughout delivering Coles gift cards to our talented and experienced Music
COVID-19, as well as client visits, clients in regional areas like Mt Isa Therapist in a safe environment.
events and reunions. and Cloncurry.
Ongoing Professional
LUQ introduced Client Care Tahnee Rapson commenced her Development is a high priority at
Packages to a number of clients in employment with Link-Up (Qld) in Link-Up (Qld). Currently 2 staff in
Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Palm February as SEWB Counsellor and the Cairns office are on their last
Island and surrounding regions, Intake Officer. Tahnee is a great fit block of Diploma of Counselling
to give support to our clients to our LUQ family and is passionate with Gallang Place.
through these tough times. about helping our people connect
with family, culture and country. Staff have also completed
Cairns staff Joshua Williams Tahnee brings a broad set of skills, Marumali training®. The Marumali
(Counsellor) and Joshua to ensure that our heart work Journey of Healing Model is
Thompson (Service Delivery continues. a unique healing framework
Manager North) made a road developed by Aunty Lorraine
trip to Townsville to deliver care Our Service Delivery Team will Peeters to train Aboriginal
packages. Whilst delivering care be back in full swing planning counsellors to support survivors
packages Joshua Williams did client reunions and events in to heal from the specific types of
some emotional support exercises coming weeks. trauma they suffered as a result of
with clients in Townsville which removal. Aunty Lorraine presented
was an uplifting experience. In October we will be hosting her healing model for the first time
a three day workshop, one in as an invited keynote speaker in
We would also like to give a big Brisbane and one in Cairns with 1999 at the NSW Mental Health
thanks to two of our past clients Shellie Morris who is an established Conference in Sydney. Since then,
who assisted LUQ in delivering Singer Songwriter. The activity Aunty Lorraine and daughter Shaan
care packages to Yarrabah and will be based on coming together have delivered the training to many
Palm Island, given that these sharing clients combined lived organisations involving hundreds of
communities were in lock down. experience to compose soul participants across the country.
Shaan and Aunty Lorraine with Sylvia and Josh from Link-Up (Qld)
12Staff Spotlight - Tahnee Rapson
In our latest employee spotlight interview, we meet Tahnee from our Cairns Link-Up Office
Position: SEWB
(Social and Emotional
Wellbeing)Counsellor
Team: Cairns - North
Tell us about your role at LUQ?
As a LUQ Counsellor, I provide
counselling support to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander clients
through Social and Emotional
Wellbeing counselling. I also case
manage clients by supporting them
throughout their healing journey
with LUQ. This includes support
through the intake, research and
reunion stages.
What do you enjoy most about
your job?
I enjoy meeting our clients, putting
faces to names and getting to
know them. I enjoy yarning with
people from different backgrounds,
finding common ground and even
ties within the community.
Do you have a favourite project, What is a fun fact about you that
What is a common question you memory or highlight from work? people may not know?
get from clients?
I have only been working with I’m a mum of two and I count my
Where are you from? I find this LUQ for a couple of months now, blessings every day. I have a 16
question to be one in which but I have memories with staff who year old teenage boy, Antwhon
Aboriginal and Torres Strait I previously studied with. and a 1 year old baby girl,
Islander people connect from. It was brilliant being able to Emerson. I enjoy camping,
There is always someone that you connect with the Cairns staff long fishing, hunting and spending as
know, and who someone else before being employed in the much time as I can with and
knows too. For me, I am originally same office because I had the around my family.
from Borroloola in the Northern opportunity to get to know them all
Territory. I am Garawa and Yanuwa on different levels before working Favourite quote?
from my mother’s side and Larrakia alongside them.
on my father’s side. I spent most
Three words to best describe
Live life and do
of my life living and working in
Borroloola and then in the last you? what makes you
6 years, I moved to Queensland
where I met my husband and
Friendly happy because you
Motivated
settled down. We have a beautiful
Determined only live once.
little girl together whose ties
through her father are from around
Normanton and Old Mapoon.
13From the Archives
Link-Up (Qld) owns a small Islander Children (Bringing Them on 26 May 1997 and prompted
collection of books, reports, Home). At the time the article the expansion of government
magazines and audio-visual was written, Link-Up (Qld) had funding to Link-Up services and
material collated over time, since been in operation for eleven years other national initiatives. Some
our beginnings in 1984. researching and reuniting families, may remember the widespread
though on limited funding and a public and parliamentary debate
On 12 August 1995, the following paucity of resources. that followed in the years after the
newspaper article appeared in Inquiry, particularly in regard to
The Courier Mail, days after the The findings and recommendations saying sorry.
establishment of the National of the Inquiry were tabled in
Inquiry into the Separation of its final report Bringing Them
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Home to the Federal Parliament
14Staff Photos - when we were young!
Can you pick who the staff If you think you know the answers, Answers will be revealed in the
members are pictured below in send them to us at contact@ next magazine.
their much younger years? You can link-upqld.org.au - we have some
use the staff photo on page 18 of deadly prize packs for the first ten
the magazine to help. correct answers!
15National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme is in response to the Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
National Redress Scheme Line - 1800 737 377
The Scheme: What if I was in foster care? If you are experiencing emotions
• acknowledges that many you are not coping with, the
children were sexually abused in Every foster care situation is following services can be
Australian institutions. different. Institutions may be contacted 24 hours a day and
responsible for abuse that seven days a week:
• holds institutions accountable for happened in foster care in certain
this abuse. situations. It will depend on Beyond Blue:
• helps people who have whether the Scheme finds that 1300 224 636
experienced institutional child an institution was responsible
sexual abuse gain access to for the abuser having contact with 1800RESPECT:
counselling, a direct personal the person. The Scheme
considers each application on a
1800 737 732
response, and a Redress
case-by-case basis.
payment. Mens Line Australia:
• started on 1 July 2018 and will If a person was placed into foster 1300 789 978
run for 10 years. care by an institution and the
institution was the person’s legal Lifeline: 13 11 14
The Australian Government wants guardian, then that institution
as many people as possible to have could be considered responsible. Suicide Call Back
access to the Scheme. Institutions An example of this is if a ward of
must agree to join the Scheme the state was placed with foster Service: 1300 659 467
so that they can provide redress carers by a state government
to people who experienced child department. For more information or to find
sexual abuse while in the care of support services, go to the
their institution. If a person was placed into National Redress Scheme website:
foster care through informal www.nationalredress.gov.au/
Institutions named in the Royal arrangements, then an institution or call 1800 737 377 Monday to
Commission into Institutional may not be considered Friday, 8am to 5pm (local time),
Responses to Child Sexual Abuse responsible. An example of this excluding public holidays.
or named in an application is if a person was placed with
received by the Scheme must the consent of the parent into a
provide a clear written statement relative’s care. Please feel free
setting out their intention to join
the Scheme by no later than to speak with the
30 June 2020. Redress team at
Access to redress is based on
where the abuse occurred and
Link-Up (Qld),
the institution responsible. Where Anne Struckett,
you live now does not affect your
ability to get access to the National Redress Manager
Redress Scheme. and Yvette Salam
and Keiron
Brown, Redress
Counsellors,
available 8am to
4pm – Monday
to Friday.
16Stolen Wages Class Action - Update
The article below is from the claim under the Stolen Wages For accurate and up to date
Koori Mail and shared with their Settlement Distribution Scheme. information, please visit
permission and that of the author, The deadline is 28 August 2020. www.stolenwages.com.au
who has provided the
As at earlier this week 6,835 Email: stolenwages@au.gt.com
following update:
people still had not provided the Phone: 1300 591 545 (9am-5pm
There is less than 30 days left to BELAW Stolen Wages team with weekdays)
submit all the information and an acceptable identity document Post: PO Box 7200, CAIRNS QLD 4870
identity verification (photo ID) (photo ID). Acceptable ID is listed Fax: 07 3222 0447
required to support a registered at www.stolenwages.com.au.
17Staff Training - Culturally-safe, Trauma-informed Practice Training
Rebecca Lockyer, Lauren Schiewe, Kerry Sandow, Sloane Stallan, Mirko Soto, Ruth Loli, Nicole Tujague (The Seedling Group),
Patricia Thompson, Kelleigh Ryan (The Seedling Group), Rebecca Oberle, Alison Bell, Joshua Thompson, Anne Garrett,
Christine Kanofski, Anne Struckett, Yvette Salam, Joshua Williams and Tahnee Rapson
Staff at Link-Up (Qld) recently Day 1 Training Day 2 Training
completed culturally-safe, trauma- The second day of the workshop
informed practice training in The workshop examined the links covered the topics of:
our Brisbane office. This training between trauma, the developing
from The Seedling Group comes brain and the influences of a • Vicarious trauma
from an Indigenous perspective – person’s cognitive, social and • Strategies to minimise
written, researched and presented emotional functioning. compassionate fatigue and burnout
by Indigenous professionals. • The science of intergenerational
Topics covered were: trauma
Our trainers were Kelleigh Ryan • Defining trauma
(Psychologist) and Nicole Tujague • Institutional challenges
• Trauma in childhood • How culture heals
(Research Academic and Trainer). • Types of trauma and how they • Building a safe practice
The training acknowledges an impact us • Building resilience
Indigenous knowledge system, • Recognising trauma • Self-care planning
resilience, and the power of • Strategies to build a trauma-
culture, language and capacity- informed workplace Thank you very much to our
building in the healing of trauma. • Why culture is important trainers Kelleigh and Nicole from
• Taking care of workers – guarding The Seedling Group who were able
against Vicarious Trauma to tailor the training to suit our
specific work requirements at
Link-Up (Qld).
18The Healing Foundation - Queensland Healing Strategy
The Healing Foundation has this Check out the website page If you would like to make contact
year been working with Aboriginal https://healingfoundation.org. with The Healing Foundation
and Torres Strait Islander au/queensland-healing-strategy/ to talk about the Queensland
Queenslanders to co-design and for more information about the Healing Strategy, please email
develop the first ever Queensland Queensland Healing Strategy, QLDStrategy@healingfoundation.
Healing Strategy. existing healing initiatives, case org.au.
studies, programs, services and
The project has heard from more approaches that are already
than 400 people through yarning working, along with a range of
circles, interviews, forums, case tools, resources and evidence
studies, creative input and online of what works to empower
surveys with yarning circles held communities to help lead their
in Cairns, Gold Coast, Inala, own healing.
Rockhampton, St George and
Yarrabah with Elders, young
people, families, community
organisations, healers and Stolen
Generations survivors.
The Queensland Healing Strategy
is hearing people pour their
hearts out and share what healing
means for them.
Healing is about
making spirit
feel good. It is
truth telling and
acknowledging the
past.
Healing is culture - embracing,
celebrating, living, breathing
and embedding culture into
everything. It’s about connecting
and reconnecting with family,
community, land, country, sea and
water. Healing is moving forward
with hope for the future, with
renewed energy, strength and
enthusiasm.
The project is leading the way with
a navigational tool to chart a way
forward, help heal past hurts and
break the cycle of intergenerational
trauma for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples.
19About Link-Up (Qld)
Our Mission Quick Facts
Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation • Link-Up (Qld) is a FREE service
supports the healing journeys of
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people • We offer support before, during and after
who have been separated from their families your family reunion
and cultures through forced removal, • We respect your privacy and treat all
fostering, adoption and/or institutionalisation. information confidentially
We deliver professional, culturally sensitive
and confidential research, reunion and • Link-Up (Qld) runs a range of healing
cultural wellbeing services. activities; camps, support groups, art, craft
and music workshops
Link-Up (Qld) Aboriginal Corporation
Caseworkers and Counsellors are • We offer cultural renewal activities and
experienced individuals who can assist in support return to country
reuniting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
families.
We also provide a referral service to the
appropriate organisation or Government
Department.
Link-Up (Qld) Offices
BRISBANE: CAIRNS:
5 Reid Street, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102 2/128 Spence Street, Cairns, Qld 4870
PO Box 3229, South Brisbane, Qld 4101 PO Box 298, Bungalow, Qld 4870
Tel: (07) 3638 0411 Fax: (07) 3217 3458 Tel: (07) 4041 7403
Email: contact@link-upqld.org.au
Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/linkupqueensland
or visit our website at www.link-upqld.org.au
Toll Free: 1800 200 855 from landlines
Link-Up (Qld) is funded by
National Indigenous Australians Agency,
Department of Social Services,
Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women.
20You can also read
