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Aboriginal sisters, Vicki and Sonia, are long-term Northcott customers who access our Tamworth Life Skills service and enjoy short stays at our Respite house.
Accessing Northcott Life Skills and Respite
“I like walking and going out exploring in the community. I like shopping at Big W and Kmart to find the bargains,” Sonia explains. “We also like making crafts for the market. We make key rings with beads. And I enjoy going bowling.”
Vicki says she enjoys the iPad and Technology program as well as walking in the community.
“The house is good; it’s nice and quiet. It’s different to being at home. We go to West Leagues for the raffle draws,” Sonia says.
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NAIDOC Week activities
Every year in the first week of July, Vicki and Sonia join Northcott staff and other customers to participate in Tamworth’s NAIDOC Week March and Family Day. The event is an important activity for Tamworth’s Aboriginal community, providing a way to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Sonia sees the day as a chance to spend time with the Aboriginal community. “We like walking in the parade for NAIDOC Week. We catch up with family. We like to be there with our Aboriginal family,” she explains.
Northcott Senior Support Worker, Jodie says the Life Skills team from Tamworth participate in the parade to support their Aboriginal customers and the wider community.
We believe it is important to have some Aboriginal or cultural elements in our programs.
“In the past, the team has arranged Aboriginal speakers to come to teach Indigenous language. Customers have been supported to learn rock painting, decorating stones and then placing them all around the town,” Jodie says.
“We’ve also taken Sonia and Vicki to community days at the Coledale Hall with the Coledale Aboriginal Group. And on Tuesdays in Quirindi, Sonia and Vicki visit Elders and take part in activities at the Aboriginal Community Centre.”
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Accessibility and Inclusivity
We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.
Read more about our commitment to reconciliation