Group, the work is deeply personal — a continuation of a legacy begun by his grandfather and other community leaders nearly fifty years ago. “Awabakal was created by our people, for our people,” Smith begins.“It’s about delivering culturally appropriate, holistic health care and support that meets the real needs of Aboriginal families — while honoring the traditions, language, and kinship that make our community strong.” A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP The roots of Awabakal trace back to the 1970s, when a small group of Aboriginal men — Uncle Bill Smith, Uncle George Griffith, and Robert Smith — recognized the urgent need for community-controlled services in the Newcastle region. Their vision became reality in 1977 with the official registration of the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Cooperative Limited.The organization evolved over the decades, becoming Awabakal Limited in 2014. What began as a small, volunteer-led cooperative has since grown into a multifaceted service provider reaching across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens. “Back in the day, our founders didn’t have government funding or resources,” Smith reflects.“They hitchhiked to meetings, shared rooms, and did whatever it took to make their voices heard. That commitment to transparency, partnership, and sustainability is still at the heart of everything we do.” FROM HEALTH CARE TO HOUSING — A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE NETWORK Today, the Awabakal Group encompasses a range of integrated services designed to support Aboriginal people “from birth to death and everything in between.” Smith point to Its operations that include, three medical clinics in Raymond Terrace, Cardiff, and Hamilton, a Spiritual and Emotional Wellbeing Team based in Wickham, two Aboriginal preschools, an aged care facility in addition to Awabakal Enterprises, a social enterprise managing community and social housing portfolios These services collectively deliver primary health care, chronic disease management, emergency care, and crisis intervention, while also addressing broader determinants of health such as education, housing, and employment. Specialized programs also focus on Indigenous smoking and vaping cessation and mental health support. “Our mission is empowerment,” Smith emphasizes. “We want to give our people the opportunity to live healthy, educated, and self-sufficient lives — with 93 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 10 AWABAKAL
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