Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources (GUIR)

13/10/2026

What a beautiful memory, Melissa. That little boy’s “I caught a fish!” and the other kids cheering him on. David and the Balunu team understood the power of love, culture and connection to Country. Every child deserves people who believe in them, and the chance to discover what they’re capable of.

And we could only get out on the high tide, with an early plane to catch the next morning! 😂

Those were formative years for me, moving from healing and mental health into research and building the evidence of what works. You were such an important mentor, and I learned so much from you. Thank you for sharing that journey with me. ❤️🖤💛

For anyone interested, here’s our report:
https://unsworks.unsw.edu.au/entities/publication/e05c06f4-486b-47b6-89dd-e2eb8c6dbac0 Melissa Haswell

13/10/2026

Gamarada is proud to stand alongside VACCHO and the many Aboriginal and mainstream organisations supporting this important call for change.

Having worked in Aboriginal healing and trauma recovery within correctional settings over many years, we know that meaningful change requires more than improving services. It requires a genuine shift in who leads, who makes decisions and whose knowledge is valued.

Our people deserve care that respects culture, restores dignity and creates real opportunities for healing, both in custody and beyond.

Congratulations to VACCHO for bringing so many voices together around a shared commitment to Aboriginal self-determination. We are honoured to stand with you in this important work.

A better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody is possible – and we’re building it together.

To every organisation that has stood behind our Transforming Care in Custody campaign: thank you.

Almost 30 organisations have now signed onto our position statement. Your support, solidarity and commitment are helping turn a clear vision for change into a call that can’t be ignored.

This work is about creating a future where care is self-determined, culturally safe and led by the people and organisations who know what works.

Here's who's helping make change happen →

Aboriginal organisations:

Sisters Inside, Djirra, Treaty for Victoria, Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources (GUIR), Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative, Moogji Aboriginal Council East, Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-Operative, Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA), Mallee District Aboriginal Services - MDAS, Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-Op, and Victorian Aboriginal Health Service -VAHS.

Mainstream organisations:

Burnet Institute, Jesuit Social Services, Human Rights Law Centre, Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria, FIGJAM, Fitzroy Legal Service, Law & Advocacy Centre for Women, ANTAR, Knowmore Legal Service, Young People's Legal Rights Centre, Alternative First Responders, Vacro, National Justice Project, Justice Reform Initiative, and Justice Health Group.

And we’re not done yet. Watch this space – there’s more work to come → vaccho.org.au/transforming-care-in-custody

24/07/2026

Today I received the unexpected news that I have been nominated by Professor Ilan Katz (Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) UNSW, for the 2026 Australian Mental Health Prize.

To be recognised in this way is a genuine honour.

Over the past three decades I have had the privilege of walking alongside Aboriginal communities, colleagues, leaders and organisations across Australia. Whatever contribution I have made has always been the result of the relationships, trust and generosity of many people who have shared the journey with me.

My sincere thanks to Professor Katz for the nomination, and to everyone who has walked alongside me over the years.

The work continues.

Healing begins with relationships.

23/07/2026

23/07/2026

After more than thirty years of walking alongside communities, I've finally put some of those reflections onto paper.

Today I'm honoured to launch The Gamarada Papers.

Volume One – The Conditions for Healing isn't about having all the answers. It's an invitation to think differently about healing, leadership and the relationships that create lasting change.

If it starts a conversation, then it has achieved its purpose.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Healing begins with relationships.

20/07/2026

New Research Published. I'm proud to share the publication of our latest peer-reviewed research: Mental Health Service Use Among Young People From Families With Different Intergenerational Patterns of Child Protection Contact.

This study examined mental health service use among 75,784 young Australians, making it one of the largest studies of its kind to explore the relationship between child protection involvement across generations and mental health service use.

One of the key findings was that a young person's own experience with child protection was more strongly associated with their mental health service use than their parents' history alone.

For me, this reinforces something many of our communities have always understood, when children experience trauma, early support, strong relationships, cultural connection and safe places to heal can make a lifelong difference.

At Gamarada Universal Indigenous Resources, we remain committed to walking alongside individuals, families and communities through culturally safe, trauma-informed approaches that foster healing, resilience and hope. Research like this strengthens the evidence for investing in early intervention and community-led responses that support children before challenges become lifelong burdens.

It is a privilege to contribute to research that has the potential to inform policy, strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children, young people and families across Australia.

My sincere thanks to my fellow authors and research partners for their collaboration and commitment to advancing knowledge that can make a real difference.

Because research helps us understand the challenge. Relationships, culture and community help us respond. At Gamarada, we believe both are essential if we are to create lasting change.

Ken Zulumovski (Kira-Dhan)

This study examined mental health service use among 75,784 Australian young people from families with different intergenerational patterns of child protection (...

05/07/2026

The quality of our work will ultimately be remembered through the quality of the relationships we leave behind. "We measure our work not by what we deliver, but by the strength of the relationships that remain when the work is done."

This is Gamarada

26/05/2026

Together, we worked to create the foundation to which healing is now known in government, in policy and in Aboriginal communities. Together we can do much more.

26/05/2026

Today, Dr Kira-Dhan Ken Zulumovski and the Gamarada team acknowledge National Sorry Day — honouring the strength, resilience, and ongoing self-determination of Stolen Generations survivors and their families.

As we mark 29 years since the Bringing them home report, we stand with The Healing Foundation in calling for action, accountability, justice, and healing within survivors’ lifetimes.

We encourage all Australians to learn the truth of our shared history and support the call: From Sorry to Action.