Identity has finally been won and Indigenous health Professor Kathleen Clapham couldn't be happier.
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So too are her fellow University of Wollongong researchers involved in the Ngarruwan Ngadji: First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre.
On Friday the team of eight finally had a place to call home.
Previously they had been working at the Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) at the Innovation Campus.
The centre's new digs are in the same building but importantly the researchers have their own dedicated space.
"It will give us an identity," Professor Clapham said.
"Rather than being the team that works in the corner of AHSRI, we are the Ngarruwan Ngadji: First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre."
Researcher Dr Marlene Longbottom said.the name Ngarruwan Ngadju had special meaning for all team members.
"Ngarruwan is the sea, the salt water over a long distance, it connects our communities down the coast, it connects us with our international partners," Dr Longbottom said.
"Ngadju is fresh water, Kath [Prof Clapham] is a fresh-water woman. The name represents all of our team, it's also about the sustenance that water provides us; water is life."
The team's research focuses on the health and wellbeing of South Coast Indigenous communities.
They aim to identify what's working well, and bring evidence to light in the broader community.
Researcher Layne Brown has been evaluating a program run by the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation at Kemblawarra.
The program works with kids at risk of being suspended or leaving education. It supports cultural teaching and provides academic, living and social skills. It connects young people with their family and their community.
The team also addresses issues of inequality, such as Indigenous life expectancy and suicide rates.
"To start to explore the conundrum of the inequalities which exist, let's look at the root causes of those," Dr Longbottom said.
"Let's not try to blame individuals, let's look honestly at the history of Australia and our region, let's look at the structures that sustain the inequalities."
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
