Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to transition to life outside of prison

Graeme and Frankie Mclennan (Warrigunya Members), Merryn Stevenson (Warrigunya Board member), Jackson (Community First Development) and Mark Reeves (Warrigunya Member) 

The first part of the pelican designed building.

Warrigunya Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation are supporting men to transition to life outside of prison by providing safe accommodation and healing programs.

They want to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men the best chance of becoming financially independent, culturally strong and create a future without prison.

To do this, they’ve acquired a 50-year lease on an acreage of land where they’ve started building a pelican shaped accommodation, co-designed by men at Fulham Correctional Centre, and located at Darriman, Gippsland Victoria.

The first part of the accommodation is almost complete! Which is a massive achievement for Warrigunya. It includes rooms for the men, communal areas and an office for staff. Senior Community Development Officer, Jackson, was lucky enough to attend the open day for the building where he captured a few exciting moments on camera.

Warrigunya also recently developed a strategic plan with the support of long-time Community First Development volunteer, Russell Jaffe, that will serve as a roadmap to achieving their dreams.

From the very beginning, the vision and leadership of Warrigunya came from Aboriginal people and everything they do is based on self-determination.

During the early days of Warrigunya, they consulted incarcerated Aboriginal men, who need and will use a facility like Warrigunya. The men made key decisions such as the name and overall design of the building.

Aboriginal men are overrepresented in Australia’s prisons and Warrigunya will continue to work towards completing their pelican shaped building to provide the much-needed support to Aboriginal men coming out of prison. We will be walking beside them when needed, to support upcoming projects.

They’re also on the lookout for further support so they can continue bringing their plans to life. Learn more about their work here: https://warrigunya.com/about-us/

You can also view a stunning animated video of the pelican shaped accommodation here: https://warrigunya.com/