HEALTH SERVICES HUB WIRADJURI signage

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people.

We pay respect to the Elders – past present and emerging.

We gratefully acknowledge that we gather on Country on which First Nations people have performed age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.

We acknowledge the living culture and its unique role in the life of the region.
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Image: (from left) MLHD Project Manager - Redevelopment Kate Kennett, Health Infrastructure Senior Project Director Cath Taylor, Charles Sturt University academic Letetia Harris and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Cheryl Penrith at the Ashmont Community Resource Centre in Wagga Wagga in August 2020.

Tuesday 4 May 2021 
A shining feature of the new Health Services Hub on Wiradjuri Country is the Wiradjuri names and descriptions on signage throughout the multi-storey building. 

It followed engagement with members of the local Aboriginal community as well as academics from the internationally recognised Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage program at Charles Sturt University.

The inclusion of the First Nations language in the new health facility recognises that the Health Services Hub sits on the land of the Wiradjuri people, who are its Traditional Custodians. 

































Thursday 20 August 2020

Members of the working group had their final meeting online and face-to-face at the Ashmont Community Resource Centre for further discussion and recommendation of Wiradjuri names and descriptions in the new Stage 3 building. The Wiradjuri names and descriptions in the new Health Services Hub include:

Lecture Theatre Yalbilinya ngurang ngumbaay
Aboriginal Health Baayay (meeting place)
Community Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol

Maliyan (Eagle) ... soar high like an eagle

Community Health

Muraany (Sulfur crested cockatoo) …Cockatoos gather as a community in large flocks  

Reception

Yanhiyanirra nginha (come to one’s assistance here)

Pathology Yarra (River Red Gum) – Is a River tree whose roots are like the Arteries that supply water to the rest of the tree.
Renal Dialysis Galinbundinya (waterfall) … water is cleaned as it passes through to rocks just as the blood is cleaned in dialysis
Hospital in the Home Waluwin Ganya-dha (healthy in the home)
Oral Health Gulaangga (frog) linked to Tiddalick the frog story
Older Persons Mental Health

Galinbalganbalgang (dragonfly) –  this represents the eyes of the ancestor.  If they cross your path you are going in the right direction.  They demonstrate where there is water.  Water is a life source and used to heal.

Rehabilitation

Budyabudya (butterfly) ... as a butterfly transforms from a caterpillar

Aged Care

Gugabul (Murray cod) … Old wise Murray Cod grows to be 100 years old, when looked after and protects the river life allowing it to thrive.

Physiotherapy

Wambuwuyn (grey kangaroo) ... kangaroos stretch and layback, but also bound with strength

Occupational Therapy

Wambad (Wombat) strong, solid, builder

Speech Pathology Waagan (Crow) … Crows are loud clear and patient
Social Work Girramaa (elevated, lifted)
Dietetics

Gulambali (pelican) … The big beak of the pelican hold its healthy catch/food

Pregnancy Care  Ngama-bu Bali-bu

Thursday 2 July 2020
Members of a working group to select Wiradjuri names and descriptions met for the first time to discuss the Wiradjuri

Wayfinding for the Wagga Wagga Health Service (WWHS) Redevelopment Stage 3 project.

The working group includes representatives of Wagga Wagga Local Aboriginal Land Council, Aunty Jeans, Mawang Gaway Consultative Group, Wirajduri Elders and staff from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, including Aboriginal Health staff.

Facilitating the consultation were academics from the Charles Sturt University's Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage program including Professor Sue Green and Letetia Harris. They consulted with the Wiradjuri Elder instrumental in the revitalisation of the Wiradjuri language, Dr Uncle Stan Grant Sr AM. 

Image: (from left) Uncle John Craig, Aunty Cheryl Penrith, Aunty Jenny Egan and Uncle Bob Egan on Thursday 9 July 2020 at Ashmont Community Resource Centre. 

As part of the Stage 3 project, a number of designated spaces in the new Stage 3 building will have names and d
​The group meets again in August following lthe initial discussions about appropriate Wiradjuri words and descriptions for the new health facility.

Thursday 30 April 2020
The selection of Wiradjuri as the language for the signage is in recognition that the Wagga Wagga Health Service is on Wiradjuri land and that it is the language of the First Nations people. 

It is about finding a way to make people feel welcome and comfortable, where the Wiradjuri language is respected and valued. The initiative is also in recognition of Murrumbidgee Local Health District's  commitment to Aboriginal cultural practices.

Information about submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to join a Wiradjuri Naming Working Group for the Redevelopment Stage 3 project can be found here

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