GALAMBILA Aboriginal Corporation has been recognised for its dedicated support care delivering medical packs, food and wellbeing hampers to community members on the Coffs Coast during the 2021 COVID lockdowns.

Galambila received $30,000 through the NSW Government’s COVID Regional Community Support program to recoup costs incurred when preparing and distributing food, essential items and relief packs during the lockdown.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

Galambila Aboriginal health practitioner Tyson Ferguson organised the distribution and delivered packs across the area, from Bowraville and Bellingen to Corindi and all around the wider Coffs Coast region.

“We made up and delivered medical packs, self-care packs, well-being packs, cleaning packs, fruit and vegetable boxes, close to 1,000 packs to around 220 families who are registered with Galambila,” Tyson told News Of The Area.

A particular concern at the time was the effects of family members having to self-isolate.

“It was at the time when people had to self-isolate for fourteen days and we know some people aren’t good at that, especially if there’s a large number of family members living in a small house, so we provided these people with wellbeing packs which included mindful activities.

“Keeping their mind active was really needed.

“A big thing in our community is yarning. Talking maintains our connection but in isolation it’s hard to do.

“We were able to support them with social/emotional wellbeing checks every couple of days which also really helped them.”

Galambila Aboriginal Corporation health service is a trusted health provider in the area and beyond.

“People love the service we provide here and even if they move away, they come back to us for their healthcare because they want to maintain that cultural appropriateness,” said Tyson.

“That word of mouth is going round, how Galambila is supporting the community; we’re just growing and growing.”

Tyson felt a personal pull to be involved in Galambila’s COVID response for its patients.

“I was very passionate about being able to give back, this was my opportunity.

“We’ve built upon wonderful opportunities with the local business, buying their products for the packs and hampers.”

The Galambila team acknowledges with gratitude the support from the Local Health District.

“With their help we were able to achieve so much.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh personally thanked the Galambila team, paying them a visit on Friday 11 November.

“Galambila Aboriginal Corporation supported our community by delivering as many as 218 hampers and relief packs to isolated residents in need of extra support across the Coffs Coast during the lockdown,” Mr Singh said.

“This financial assistance from the NSW Government helps to cover some of the costs incurred, including fuel, couriers and logistics expenses.

“On behalf of the Coffs Coast community I want to thank the volunteers and staff at Galambila for stepping up and helping fellow community members when they needed it most.”

By Andrea FERRARI