Kutjuwarrala Marrka Nyinakuwanpa – Let’s be strong together
George Lee, Chairperson & People’s Representative – Balgo Community
A specific outcome of the Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn 2010 held at Billard Aboriginal Community was an invitation from members of the Balgo community to help to create a Summit-like gathering at Balgo in 2011.
This was communicated in the spirit of the Billard Call to Action 2009 which included willingness by the Billard community to work with others by invitation.
Joseph Yukumbari – Balgo Community (Summit 2010 – Billard Aboriginal Community)
The invitation from George Lee, (Chairperson – Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation in Balgo) and others, was compelling.
In 2009 George had come to the Summit on the back of the suicides of a handful of young men in a short preceding period. He came with a heavy heart and left with unexpected optimism.
After the 2009 Summit, by his own admission, George knew he had a chance as the people’s representative to change things for the better.
In 2010 George was invited to return to Billard Community for the Hard Yarn Summit. Back at Billard again George quickly firmed up in his mind that it was time to act on the momentum from the Billard Summit at home, to drive an initiative from within Balgo in the way that the Billard Community had done. This included more than saving lives – George knew it meant changing the mindset of defeatism amongst his own people.
There have been no deaths by suicide since mid-2009 in Balgo.
A new way – community-with-community
Billard Community through Billard Learning Centre is working with George and others in Balgo to develop a life-based strategy jointly with the Australian Government.
This process – Stand up for Life – will involve a Summit held ‘Balgo’s way’ in Balgo. Billard Learning Centre is assisting with technical skills of engagement and planning for the gathering, in collaboration with local residents, the Australian and WA Governments and other stakeholders.
The goal is to create a suicide-proof community at Balgo.
“We need to stand up for life and start talking seriously about suicide and what we can do to stop it once and for all in our community.”
George Lee, Chairperson and People’s Representative – Balgo Community
Dorothy Victor, Stephen Victor Snr, Mary Victor O’Reeri, Joseph Yukumbari and George Lee (Summit 2010 – Billard Aboriginal Community)
William Mandijarra (Acting Chair), Matt Jennings (CEO), Min Jenny Macklin, George Lee (Chair), Olive Darkie (Staff) - Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation, 26 April 2011
Stand Up for Life
Kutjuwarrala Marrka Nyinakuwanpa – Let’s be strong together
George Lee, Chairperson & People’s Representative – Balgo Community
A specific outcome of the Blank Page Summit Hard Yarn 2010 held at Billard Aboriginal Community was an invitation from members of the Balgo community to help to create a Summit-like gathering at Balgo in 2011.
This was communicated in the spirit of the Billard Call to Action 2009 which included willingness by the Billard community to work with others by invitation.
Joseph Yukumbari – Balgo Community (Summit 2010 – Billard Aboriginal Community)
The invitation from George Lee, (Chairperson – Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation in Balgo) and others, was compelling.
In 2009 George had come to the Summit on the back of the suicides of a handful of young men in a short preceding period. He came with a heavy heart and left with unexpected optimism.
After the 2009 Summit, by his own admission, George knew he had a chance as the people’s representative to change things for the better.
In 2010 George was invited to return to Billard Community for the Hard Yarn Summit. Back at Billard again George quickly firmed up in his mind that it was time to act on the momentum from the Billard Summit at home, to drive an initiative from within Balgo in the way that the Billard Community had done. This included more than saving lives – George knew it meant changing the mindset of defeatism amongst his own people.
There have been no deaths by suicide since mid-2009 in Balgo.
A new way – community-with-community
Billard Community through Billard Learning Centre is working with George and others in Balgo to develop a life-based strategy jointly with the Australian Government.
This process – Stand up for Life – will involve a Summit held ‘Balgo’s way’ in Balgo. Billard Learning Centre is assisting with technical skills of engagement and planning for the gathering, in collaboration with local residents, the Australian and WA Governments and other stakeholders.
The goal is to create a suicide-proof community at Balgo.
Dorothy Victor, Stephen Victor Snr, Mary Victor O’Reeri, Joseph Yukumbari and George Lee (Summit 2010 – Billard Aboriginal Community)
William Mandijarra (Acting Chair), Matt Jennings (CEO), Min Jenny Macklin, George Lee (Chair), Olive Darkie (Staff) - Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation, 26 April 2011