By Eric Martin
In the past 35 years, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM) has graciously inherited the pastoral work that was started by Bishop Rosendo Salvado at the very beginning of the Swan River Colony: demonstrating and sharing the love of Christ to our Indigenous Communities through the compassionate yet practical ministry of social service provision.
This year, the organisation is entering a new chapter under the leadership of Yawuru woman Donella Brown, who is the new Director.
Donella become involved with ACM in the late 1980’s, when a Pastoral Worker with the agency became a member of the Clontarf Aboriginal College Board while she [Donella] was Principal.
“I think that it is natural for Aboriginal people to want to work with their own people.
“We have the advantage of knowing, experiencing and seeking ways to address the many challenges that we experience on a daily basis,” she explained.
“In my case it has been my journey in the field of education. It is this passion that continues every day in my working life.”
Donella was born in Derby and on her mother’s side has cultural connections with Broome.
She brings a wealth of personal experience and perspective to the role, springing from her long term involvement with the organisation as a member of its council and through her work at Clontarf Aboriginal College (as a teacher and principal) and at Irene McCormack College as Aboriginal Liaison Officer.
Key tasks associated with her last role saw Donella working in partnership with Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) to raise the educational achievements of Aboriginal students; promoting and maintaining positive working relationships between the College and external agencies; promoting the inclusion of Aboriginal students in the College, and; developing effective communication with Aboriginal families in the community.
Her work saw her forge strong links among the Aboriginal students, their families and the staff of the College through efforts such as maintaining contact with families, including home visits to parents to convey information on issues such as College policies and procedures, curriculum issues, Aboriginal Parent activities.
This role also included liaising with the Principal and staff on student issues and assisting with the enrolment of Aboriginal children by promoting the availability of Aboriginal bursaries for families who would not consider Catholic education because of financial constraints.
“… explore ways that we can involve the Aboriginal community in a meaningful, prayerful and culturally appropriate way. ”
Donella said that the many experiences she has had, both in the role of Aboriginal Liaison Officer and as a Principal have thoroughly prepared her for the role as Director and that she looks forward to taking on and continuing the outstanding work that ACM does on behalf of Aboriginal Australians.
“As an Aboriginal person, I have always been aware of our needs, in particular to make sure that the true history of Aboriginal Australia is recognised and acknowledged by all Australians so that together we are able forge a positive future,” she shared.
“As an organisation, I would like to explore ways that we can involve the Aboriginal community in a meaningful, prayerful and culturally appropriate way. Personally it is a challenge for me to once again to take on a leadership role.
“My expectation for the role is to take it slowly to listen to Aboriginal people in order to hear what we think is the way forward in the Church. It is also the challenge to not lose sight of work that has initiated in the area of reconciliation,” Donella said.
Incumbent Director, Ms Vicki Burrows, leaves to take on the exciting role of Executive Director of Mission and Ethos at MercyCare Community Services, where she will support their work in embedding their mission of bringing compassion and justice to life and breaking significant cycles of disadvantage.
“While I finish in the role as Director at ACM, it isn’t a goodbye to this wonderful Aboriginal Catholic community!”
The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry is a non-profit organisation, of the Archdiocese of Perth founded in 1975 to promote the spiritual, cultural and social development of people of Aboriginal descent.
From pages 20 to 21 of Issue 22: ‘The Church in Perth’ of The Record Magazine