The Ngwala NAIDOC 2026 Hoodie
To celebrate NAIDOC 2026 one of Ngwala’s resident artists Tara-Rose Butterworth-Gonebale created this incredible snake design for our annual NAIDOC hoodie. We asked her to tell us the story of this powerful work of art. “This artwork tells the story of strength, survival and spirit — honouring 50 years of Deadly, and the powerful legacy […]
Ngwala Representing at 2026 NAIDOC March
The NAIDOC March here in Naarm has always been more than just a protest. It is a celebration of culture, a defiant statement of survival, a family reunion, a breathing art gallery, a modern day Ngargee, an honouring of Elders, a refusal to be silenced and one more chapter in our collective story. The 2026 March was a bold […]
Swan Hill Sobering Up Centre Opening
Opening of the Swan Hill Sobering Up Centre Friday 27 March | 11:00am – 1:00pm | Swan Hill, Wamba Wamba Country Under a clear, sun‑filled sky on Wamba Wamba Country in late March, community came together to celebrate the official opening of Ngwala’s Swan Hill Sobering Up Centre – a moment marked by pride […]
ATSI Student of the Year awarded to Isaiah
Left to right: Keremsah Guleoglu (Galiamble Team Leader), Isaiah Carey (Galiamble Residential Rehabilitation Worker), and Tye Hammersley (Acting Executive Manager of Residential Rehabilitation) Isaiah Carney – a worker at Galiamble, one of Ngwala’s Residential Rehabilitation Centres – has recently received the Uncle Norman Hunter Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the […]
Swan Reach Sobering Up Centre Grand Opening!
Last week Ngwala Willumbong celebrated the grand opening of our brand new Swan Reach Sobering Up Centre. For months our Public Intoxication Response Team has poured their blood, sweat and tears into converting an old homestead into a tranquil sanctuary in the heart of Gunaikurnai Country. Sitting on a gorgeous 2.2 hectares only […]
Ngwala’s November 2025 In Service
On Thursday 20 and Friday 21 November, our incredible Ngwala staff came together for two days of connection, learning, and entertainment at the Melbourne Zoo for our November In Service. We started with a beautiful Welcome to Country by Uncle Tony Garvey, followed by a warm welcome from our CEO De-Joel Upkett. The group […]
Art is healing – the story of Renee
Art is healing. That is something that Winja Ulupna Women’s Recover Centre resident Renee has truly personified with her incredible paintings. The first painting she is standing with is called ‘Strong Sister’, and Renee told us that it was “done for my sister to represent family violence and for all the woman who have […]
Scarred Tree Smoking Ceremony in Baddaginnie
Under a scorching October sun, nestled along one of the many fingers of Baddaginnie Creek in Yorta Yorta country, stands a majestic scarred tree. A tree whose history and cultural significance will soon find a new home in the brand new offices of Ngwala Willumbong. Last week, at the foot of the gnarled giant, […]
Culturally Safe Mental Health First Aid
Ngwala had another group of staff earn their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid accreditation this week. This incredible course equips us with the skills to provide mental health first aid in a culturally safe and informed way, covering areas like crisis intervention, self-care strategies and destigmatising mental health issues. Ngwala […]
Yitjawudik’s Goat Activation Project
It all started with goats… Yitjawudik Men’s Recovery Centre is a culturally safe, 24-hour residential rehabilitation centre for Aboriginal men living with alcohol and/or drug dependency. The site is home to several cheeky goats that have been escaping from their paddock, but this unlucky situation has sparked something unexpectedly powerful! After discussions with the on-site […]
