ABSTARR Consulting Pty Ltd

For 9 weeks, ABSTARR hosted psychology student, Kabi Kabi man Jean-Marc Tujague, who is completing his 3rd year in psychology at RMIT. Jean-Marc worked in the Well@Work team and gained insight into how ABSTARR provides wellbeing supports to not only employees, but also organisations. Jean-Marc made incredible contributions, including supporting the Wellbeing Room at the NAATSIHWP conference in Boorloo (Perth).    ABSTARR has a strong commitment to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in their professional journeys.   Jean-Marc shared, “I truly saw cultural safety and self-determination in action at ABSTARR”.   Thank you for your contributions, Jean-Marc.  From all of us at ABSTARR we wish you all the best with your psychology career!

Earlier this year one of our Junior Consultants, Holly Regan, was awarded the Supreme Court Prize as the highest performing student in the Juris Doctor at RMIT.    We are so proud of Holly, not only for her achievements in her studies but also for her contribution to ABSTARR and efforts toward decolonisation and Cultural Safety. We are so lucky to have an amazing ally working with us, and we look forward to seeing Holly continue to grow and shine.    Holly wrote “I decided to study law to contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice. What I learnt throughout the degree is that our white legal system is not a system of justice, but a tool used and designed to oppress and deny Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of their sovereignty and sovereign rights. I am thankful to the enthusiasm of some amazing lecturers and tutors at RMIT who encouraged me to explore this throughout my degree and am so grateful to work at ABSTARR Consulting Pty Ltd where decolonisation and truth-telling is core to the business. I have a necessarily complicated relationship to this work as a white person, and my (forever limited) understanding of the current state of this continent is wholly attributable to First Nations Peoples and their Elders and Ancestors, reaching back over 65,000 years.”   Congratulations Holly!

World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a platform to foster awareness about suicide which continues to impact so many families. Suicide remains a pressing concern for mob across the nation. This day invites us to remember and also to confront these issues openly and safely. Sending love, strength and hope to everyone who; are grieving, who are struggling, who are working in suicide prevention and those who are supporting loved ones. #indigenousknowledges #worldsuicidepreventionday #indigenous #suicideprevention

ABSTARR Consulting collaborated with Derbarl Yerrigan to provide support for the 2024 National @NAATSIHWP Conference attendees by establishing a dedicated wellbeing room. This effort enhanced the overall conference experience, fostering a harmonious atmosphere and a place to reset. 💙 #Indigenousknowledges #welleingroom #healing #NAATSIHWP2024

National Child Protection Week is an important time for us at ABSTARR to reflect on the vital role we all can take in safeguarding the wellbeing of children. This week reminds us of our responsibility to support the safety, rights, and development of every child. As we work towards creating culturally safe environments, we acknowledge the strength of Indigenous families and the importance of nurturing our most precious resource: the next generation. Together, we must foster a future where every child is safe, supported, and empowered. #Indigenouschildren #Indigenousknowledge #childprotection

Our most recent Professional Seminar Series was graced with the presence of the incredible Dylan Nicholls, a Yuwaalaraay man and Clinical Psychologist living on Gadigal country. Dylan is not only one of ABSTARR Consulting's Well@Work practitioners, but he also has a passion for storytelling and truth-telling for Mob that is truly inspiring. Currently studying a Master of Arts Screen at the Asutralian Film Television & Radio School, Dylan shared with the ABSTARR team some insights into the making of his documentary, 'Bringing His Spirit Home'. This powerful piece follows a descendant of an Aboriginal WWI soldier on a journey to France to bring their ancestor’s spirit home. We are immensely grateful to Dylan for sharing his story and highlighting the importance in preserving and honouring our history. Thank you, Dylan, for your invaluable contributions and dedication. You can learn more about 'Bringing His Spirit Home' here: linktr.ee/abstarr

Today ABSTARR celebrates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The date marks the first day the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations (WGIP) held a meeting in 1982. The UN WGIP drafted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which enshrines the collective and individual rights of Indigenous Peoples. This includes, among many others, the right to self-determination, to lands and resources, to autonomy and self-government, and to practice culture. ABSTARR acknowledges the strength, sovereignty, and wisdom of Indigenous Peoples across the globe. We stand alongside Indigenous communities in the continued fight for self-determination and decolonisation. ABSTARR recognises Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are critical to the continued survival of the planet. A link to UNDRIP is here: https://lnkd.in/dvc86YV

The ABSTARR team stepped out to celebrate some of the deadly projects we've completed in 2024! These include the Cultural Safety Training for Health Practitioner Accreditation Collaborative Forum (HPACF), Victorian Aboriginal healing centres project, and working with the Productivity Commission on a better way to evaluate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes, among many others. These projects are vital steps towards cultural safety, self-determination and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. A huge shoutout to every member of our team for their dedication, innovation, and hard work. Your efforts have truly made a difference, and we couldn’t be prouder!

“ABSTARR team in Naarm attended the NAIDOC flag raising at AAL #keepthefireburning #blackloudandproud #naidoc2024

ABSTARR are deeply honoured to be supporting Balit Durn Durn Centre of Excellence at VACCHO with the development of healing centres for mob right across Victoria #naidoc2024 #healingisforeveryone