Proud warriors for culture and community

Committed to making big dreams happen

In January 2020 a group of caring and concerned people met to yarn about the barriers Aboriginal men face when they leave prison. This group evolved into Warrigunya, a not-for-profit corporation based on Gunaikurnai land (Gippsland region) in Victoria with committed directors and members who strongly believe in ‘a hand up, not a handout’. 

‘The system doesn’t work for our mob and it’s up to us to lead the change,’ says board member and driving force behind the project, Uncle Alan Coe. 

‘We are the ones who know what our mob needs.’

Uncle Al has spent many years as an advocate and mentor for the men in Fulham Correction Centre, giving him unique insight into the difficulties Aboriginal men face when transitioning to the ‘outside world’. 

He has seen many men being released from prison only to return weeks or months later. He says they don’t get the practical help they need to leave the justice system behind once and for all. 

‘I ask the men who I see come back to Fulham: what happened?’ Uncle Al says. 

‘It’s always the same story – they have nowhere to go when they’re let out apart from going back into the same places that got them in trouble in the first place. 

‘It’s not long before they’re slipping back into old habits with old acquaintances and then they’re right back inside.’
This is why the lived experiences of prisoners, their families, and advocates mean that the function and design of Warrigunya will be fit for purpose.

When their facility is complete it will provide holistic services in the form of:

• safe and affordable housing for Aboriginal men after being released from prison (housing for 3 to 12 months)
• support and planning to help the men identify and achieve their goals 
• programs to build confidence, skills and resilience
• cultural healing through art and connecting to Country 
• help and support to connect with training providers and employers 
• support to find long term housing.

Co-design is key

Warrigunya is about Aboriginal people leading a vision for Aboriginal people. Men released from prison should believe it’s possible for their future to include financial and housing stability, community and family connection, and cultural strength.

The lack of housing in Gippsland means men leaving prison are often homeless, putting them at risk of re-offending and returning to prison. The only way this situation will improve is for Aboriginal people to lead the way. 

Aboriginal people have done so from the start, including consulting with Aboriginal men in nearby Fulham. As the eventual users of the facility, it was important to involve the men from Fulham in all facets of the project, from naming the facility to its design. 

Restoring the power balance

Warrigunya is holding the power to make decisions and taking action for the wellbeing of Aboriginal people. The team’s working closely with non-Aboriginal people to close the gap on health and financial outcomes, and to address intergenerational trauma. Non-Aboriginal people who recognise the injustices of the past are also members and directors of Warrigunya. 

The majority of Warrigunya’s members are Aboriginal. Since they incorporated in February 2021, the membership has grown to 54 – 33 of whom are Aboriginal. Warrigunya’s board has 8 directors – 5 are Aboriginal and 3 are non-Aboriginal. 

The directors meet monthly to discuss issues and make decisions on how to proceed with the project. Usually the meetings are held where most of the directors live, in Bairnsdale, with other directors attending via zoom. 
Because Warrigunya doesn’t yet have funding for staff, the directors have a hands on role. Depending on availability, directors make time to attend meetings with builders, funding bodies and community members as well as applying for grants, updating the Facebook page and sourcing furnishings for the units.

The organisation also achieved charity registration and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status in 2021–22. This has allowed the corporation to attract donations towards the estimated $1.2 million a year it would cost to operate Warrigunya.

They’re not there yet, but what they have achieved in that short timeframe shows the passion and drive of the people behind the project.

Dreams becoming reality 

In December 2021, the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) contacted Warrigunya and offered to apply for and administer a grant to fund their facility. 

From there, it was not long before Radial Timber came on board to offer Warrigunya a 50-year lease with peppercorn rent* on 20 acres at Darriman.

Funding became available through Homes Victoria and the facility was designed and the Planning Permit approved. In 2022 the first sod was turned.

The project has advanced quickly, which Uncle Al says is ‘a testament to the energy and passionate belief of the board of directors and the members. Without them, none of this would be possible’.

Today there’s a pelican-shaped building standing on what was once 20 acres of newly cleared timber plantation. It’s not quite finished but as of the end of May the first wing of the pelican is at lock-up stage.

The team now continues to build strong connections with the local Aboriginal organisations and looks forward to bringing their operational model to life.

*peppercorn rent is an extremely low rent that’s well below market value – rent is just $1 per year for Warrigunya’s land