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First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing has named our Early Parenting Centre – Baluk Balert Barring. This is the first Aboriginal Early Parenting Centre to be established in Victoria, and we look forward to opening the doors of this brand new facility to families in the coming months.
Baluk Balert Barring is a beautiful phrase in the Boonwurrung language of the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation, where the Early Parenting Centre will be co-located with FPHW’s Frankston primary healthcare clinic.
The name has been gifted to FPHW by Bunurong Elder, Aunty Elaine Taylor. In English, the name closely translates to ‘Many Strong Footprints’, conveying our hope that many babies, children and families will walk strongly together with the support of Baluk Balert Barring’s care and services.
Aunty Elaine says “I’m honored First Peoples’ came to me for the name. I’ve been a strong advocate for a long time for a culturally-safe service for our new parents. This is history-making”.
Baluk Balert Barring will provide First Nations families with a culturally-safe model of early parenting care that builds on the strengths of Aboriginal families, culture and community. The model of care has been developed in consultation with Community and in collaboration with Monash University’s Health and Social Care Unit. It will continue to evolve in response to the needs of babies, children and families who attend the service.
“FPHW has been developing this service over a number of years, and I’m beyond excited to see it come to life through a beautiful name that represents the strengths of family and community. Baluk Balert Barring will provide much-needed advocacy and support to families to challenge a system that hasn’t been working for them” says FPHW CEO, Karinda Taylor.
FPHW has long advocated for the need to wrap culturally-safe supports and services around pregnant women, new parents and families, to stem the flow of babies and children into child protection, and out-of-home care.
Services and programs within Baluk Balert Barring will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of health and other professionals, experienced in delivering strengths-based and trauma-informed care and resources. Together they will ensure that babies, children and families who attend Baluk Balert Barring, have access to the healthcare, cultural, educational and social supports they need to stay together and thrive.
Self-determination is at the heart of First Peoples’ healing, recovery, health and wellbeing. Baluk Balert Barring is an Early Parenting Centre that is Aboriginal-owned, designed and delivered – laying the path for many strong footprints to tread.
For media enquires:
Karinda Taylor
Chief Executive Officer