A welcome message from our CEO
Adrienne Barnett
Hi everyone –
After an almost 4-month absence on extended sick leave, I’ve returned to work in January.
My sick leave was sudden and unexpected and consisted of almost 2 months in Hospital (including a stint in ICU) and another couple of months recovering. This time made me reflect on how we often take good health for granted and great appreciation for our public health system and the Hospital and Health Service here in Mackay.
This time of sickness also led me to reevaluate my priorities and commit to ensuring that I take better care of myself physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
During that time, MARABISDA continued with our great work in supporting our vulnerable families and our very capable and skilled Board of Directors stepped in and supported staff and operations, making sure that we met our commitments to families and funding bodies. Thank you everyone for your help and support during this time.
As a result of this, our staffing levels have increased to take on some of the ever-expanding responsibilities of the organisation, that include HR systems and processes, finance systems and reporting, and our marketing and communications functions.
We welcome Teanna Ramsamy into our Operations Manager role, Jess Hale-Tale as our Finance Officer, and Keely Pitt who has accepted the role of Marketing and Communications Officer. All three of our new staff members make a fantastic contribution to ensuring MARABISDA remains operationally and financially viable and that our services and programs are understood and accessible to community members needing our help.
We’ve also been busy recruiting to our Piccaninny Foster and Kinship Care Service, Indigenous Family Wellbeing Service, and Family Participation Program and we’ll be able to introduce you to these new staff members in our upcoming newsletter editions and facebook page.
I hope you enjoy reading our Newsletter and learning more about our organisation and the services and programs that we deliver – feel free to follow our facebook page to keep up to date on what’s happening and get involved in any of our activities and events.
What have we been up to?
Delegated Authority Community of Practice
On the 4th & 5th of March in Meanjin, Our CEO AB & Tarita from our DA Program attended the QATSICPP Delegated Authority Community of Practice where they reflected on the origins of Delegated Authority and its role in strengthening culturally governed decision making, reinforcing the importance of community leadership, cultural authority and shared responsibility in achieving better outcomes for Indigenous families.
Healing our Child and Young People Workshop
On the 26th of March, Lee & Tiwi from our Domestic Violence program attended the QATSICPP workshop focusing on the implementation of Healing our Children and Young People Framework. Participants revisited the framework and explored the critical pillars required for children and young people’s healing & identifying strengths and gaps across local and statewide responses.
Deadly Choices x Mackay Base Hospital 10yr Partnership Anniversary Celebration
Marabisda attended this event & brought along a stall. It was a beautiful day with a range of fun activities where community and businesses were able to yarn and connect.
Car Seat Training
On the 31st of March, a large group of our team participated in Car Seat Training to refresh their knowledge. Marabisda is ensuring that we are looking after children with safety & care at all times.
QATSICPP Site Visit Workshop
QATSICPP visited the Marabisda office to host a “Healing our Children and Young People: Domestic and Family Violence Framework Implementation Workshop”
We would like to thank Annette & Karla for facilitating the session! Our staff had very meaningful discussions to support safer and stronger futures for our community.
Aboriginal Hostel Easter BBQ
Our Mackay Connected Beginnings & IFWS programs have been working with MCFC to host BBQs at the Aboriginal Hostel
During the week of Easter, they provided gift bags to the children, fun easter egg hunt activities & connected with families
QATSICPP
(Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak)
QATSICPP is the peak body in Queensland representing 35 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community-controlled child protection organisations. It advocates for the rights, safety and wellbeing of First Nations children, young people and families.
Their vision is that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are physically, emotionally and spiritually strong, live in safe and caring environments within their own families and communities, and are afforded the same life opportunities available to all children and young people to achieve their full potential.
Program Updates
Piccaninny Kinship & Foster Care
EXCITING NEWS: PICCANINNY HAVE MOVED! You can now find us at 2/17 Macalister Street, Mackay. Our team is also growing – We have Tiomee Ramsamy coming onboard on the 7th of May as a Kinship Carer Support Worker! We have another role opening up soon that we will be advertising for so please stay tuned.
Delegated Authority
We are now officially a full-strength team of 3 staff! We recently onboarded a DA Manager – Janee Choppy, & DA Practitioner – Kerri Takai. A big shout out to DA practitioner Tarita, our CEO AB & Principal Team Leader Kobi-Lee Ramsamy for sustaining the DA space whilst recruitment was being completed. We look forward to supporting more families in our community!
Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Domestic Voilence Program (ATSIDFVSS)
Lee, Tiwi & an amazing group of clients have just arrived back from a week away at the Weaving Stories Healing Camp – Uluru. This camp allowed the group to step out of their comfort-zone & embrace culture and learning. The ladies had an amazing time and saw some even more amazing sights!
Trading Tracks
We are currently working on the 2026 NAIDOC Business Awards – with EOI for nominations live right now! Check out the form & nominate your Indigenous business here. We also have our Yarnz Network coming up on the 7th of May for local Indigenous business owners & stakeholders to yarn and connect. Please email if you’d like to register
admin@qld.tradingtracks.com.au
Family Participation Program (FPP)
FPP helps you understand the worries that Child Safety may have with your family and work with you to keep your family together through a Family Led Decision Making Meeting with your family to discuss and determine how you are going to keep your children safe
Syed has just started his new course of the Circle of Security Parenting Program running every Tuesday – this aims to help parents respond to their child’s emotional needs, fostering resilience and better behaviour overall
Indigenous Family Wellbeing Service (IFWS)
Earlier this month, Marabisda farewelled one of our dedicated Family Wellbeing Support Workers, Henry Viti. We thank him for his compassion & support, and wish him the very best for the future, he will truly be missed!
Mackay Connected Beginnings
Hi families, the Badi Yalobaga Yuribaya Team has had a busy and rewarding April. Our team completed car seat training to ensure our bubs can travel safely to appointments, and we kicked off Term 2 playgroup indoors at Hamlet Street, sharing a lovely morning of learning through play, including a respectful ANZAC activity to acknowledge those who served.
We’re proud to continue our weekly Badi Yalobaga Yuribaya – Grow Children Strong Radio Hour on My105 every Thursday from 6–7pm, and to have connected with community at events including MCFC Welcome Day, Deadly Choices 10 Year Celebration, and the ATSICHS Colour Run.