The story so far....

The Koori Resource and Information Centre started in 1989 and was incorporated in 1995. It has initiated, incubated and supported many projects, ideas and organisations including:   An early program established as firewood cutting service and enterprise called Big Arundja. Big Arundja provided employment and business outcomes for Aboriginal men, and was supported by the Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Services also operating out of KRIC at the time; The Indigenous Drug & Alcohol service also supported a leather craft and artefact programs that operated out of KRIC; A jointly funded Youth Worker position between KRIC and the three former Shires of Shepparton and region, evaluated and surveyed the Indigenous communities opinions on service delivery by identifying 10 major family group within the community and employing 10 Indigenous people to undertake the interviews; Housing the cultural heritage and land preservation position; The establishment and housing of the first Nations Credit Union (a division of Australian National credit Union) – the first national Aboriginal community credit union; The establishment of the Ganbina Koori Employment Economic & Training Agency; A Victorian focus for Common Fate Endorsed Involvement in policy development around the Victorian approach to Koori health reform and the Koori Services’ Improvement Strategy The housing and support of the first Chair of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (VACCHO) – undertaking a significant administrative role to the Chair The Heart Health Program run in conjunction with the Heart Foundation in the early 1990’s; The Co-ordination of the centre of Australians for Reconciliation in the Goulburn Valley; The housing of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC) in its formative years The initiation and support of the Healthy Lifestyles Program and the Youth Suicide Prevention program of the RFNC; The development of and strengthening linkages in training and education through participation on Boards of Management of the Co-ordinating Unity for Rural health Education Victoria and the Victorian universities of Latrobe rural campuses and Koori TAFE students; The development of the Victorian State Leadership Program with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation; Offering support to original Long Walk of Michael Long and supporting its further development into a community initiative now known as The Long Walk; Providing support to families reconnecting after ‘Stolen Generations’ separations and family breakdowns; Providing administrative support to various Koori organisations and projects such as; The Yachad Accelerated Learning Project (YALP) Goulburn Valley Aboriginal Women’s Group whose activities included a sowing, cooking, art and well-being programs; Goulburn Valley Koori Media Group;   And, involvement in community development, information and network building projects such as: The Victorian Indigenous Leadership Network Mentor Program Academy of Sport Health & Education (ASHE)