SERVICES
BADAC supports the health and wellbeing of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community with a range of holistic services, including:
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BADAC Medical Clinic
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Koorie Family Services
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Early Years Learning & Development
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Cultural Therapeutic Support & Youth Services
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Kinship Care
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Aboriginal Family Lead Decision Making (AFLDM)
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My Aged Care
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Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Support
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Social & Emotional Wellbeing Program
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Justice Support
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Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care
For more information on any of the services/programs that we offer, please click on the below links, or alternatively you can call us on 03 5331 5344.
MEDICAL
BADAC Medical Clinic is an inclusive space. Welcoming the Ballarat and District Community.
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Doctor Consultations
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Health Assessments
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Chronic Disease Management
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Diabetes and Asthma Education
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Immunisation and Wound Care
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Pap Screens / Sexual Health / Family Planning
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Pathology Collection
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Practice Nurse and Aboriginal Health Worker Support
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Maternal, Child and Family Health Service
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Visiting Allied Health Services
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Covid vaccinations
The BADAC Medical Clinic is a bulk-billing clinic open to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients.
OPENING HOURS
Monday/Tuesday/Thursday: 9am - 8pm
Wednesday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 9am – 4pm
CONTACT DETAILS
BADAC Medical Clinic
106 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat Central, VIC 3350
Ph: 03 5331 5344 (extension # 2)
Fax: (03) 5331 1308
Email: medical@badac.net.au
APPOINTMENTS
All consultations are by appointment only.
All appointments are bulk-billed - Please ensure you have a valid Medicare card. If applicable, please bring your Pension and Health Care Card with you.
Home visits are available for regular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients whose condition prevents them from attending the clinic.
OUR PRACTITIONERS
Dr. Dhakshineswary Prasanna;
Dr. Bernard Fensling;
Dr. Rashmi Ramanath
Dr. Josh Seldis
Dr. Ramakrishna Sakkera
Dr. Nazmin Sultana
AFTER HOURS SERVICE
Ballarat Base Hospital (Emergency Department).
1 Drummond Street North, Ballarat, Central, Victoria, 3350.
P: (03) 5320 4000.
FEEDBACK
We strive to deliver Holistic Medical Care to our community, and appreciate your feedback - We consider this as an opportunity for continuous improvement. Feedback may be given using the suggestion box at reception or by speaking or writing to your doctor. Alternatively, you may wish to contact:
Health Complaints Commissioner
Level 26, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000
Phone: 1300 582 113
TELEPHONE & ELECTRONIC ACCESS
The doctors in our practice are happy to speak to you over the phone when necessary. If the call is non-urgent, the doctor will return the call at the end of the session. Emergency calls will be transferred to the doctor or a nurse immediately.
Electronic communication of a non-medical nature can be via our business e-mail: medical@badac.net.au
To ensure effective communication, please notify reception of any changes to address and contact numbers.
MANAGEMENT OF PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
BADAC Medical abides by the Health Records Act 2001. The act covers the collection, handling and disposal of personal health information. If you wish to have a copy or summary of your Medical Records (history) transferred to another practice, a signed patient request form must be received. Please note that your original record will be kept at BADAC Medical to comply with the law.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING (SEWB)
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Service is a Primary mental health and drug and alcohol service that specialises in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing. SEWB services work with community in Ballarat and surrounding district.
BADAC offer a range of services designed to deliver SEWB programs in a holistic and culturally appropriate manner. SEWB services has a diverse range of staff with specialist skills and work as a team, to ensure care is inclusive of individual, family, and community needs.
The range of services offered include:
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Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling & Treatment;
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Child & Youth Mental Health Treatment
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Cultural Practitioner
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Culture Care Connect
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Cultural Support Male & Female
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Dual Diagnosis Treatment
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Generalist Counselling
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Group Therapy
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Psychological Treatment Services (Adult, Children & Youth);
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Sexual Assault Support Service
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Voluntary Yarning on Friday Afternoon
CONTACT DETAILS
Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB)
106 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat VIC 3350
03 5331 5344 (extension #3)
CULTURAL THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT & YOUTH SERVICES
BADAC offers cultural therapeutic care for the Ballarat & district Aboriginal community to connect with culture, spirit and self. Our team create and facilitate experiences to support individuals and families on their self discovery and healing journey.
Our Youth services team is focused on engaging, supporting and mentoring our Youth.
The range of services offered include:
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Mens Group
In a strong culturally safe environment surrounded by your peers and community the BADAC Mens Group provides a place to discuss social, cultural, physical and mental health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men of all ages.
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Womens Group
The BADAC women’s group is a place of healing, a place for Aboriginal women to come together for friendship, yarning and cultural activities. Our group is strengths based and focuses on increasing cultural knowledge and community connections as a way of achieving healing for our mob.
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Koorie Youth Group
After school engagement program for youth aged 6 to 18.
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Koorie Youth Engagement Program
Visits to Primary and High Schools in the BADAC area to support the delivery of Aboriginal programs.
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Lil Lubly's
Lil Lubly’s is a group designed for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females and anyone identifying with famine energy to help improve self-confidence, friendships/relationships and create a safe place for our youth to come together to learn.
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Holiday Program
Keeping the Children & Youth engaged and connected through a variety of activities and excursions during the holidays.
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Baarlinjaan Dance Group
The Baarlinjan Dance Group offers community members of all ages an opportunity to connect to culture through dance and story telling. Dance practice is scheduled when we have a performance booked in or an event to attend.
There is no age limit on who can join the group and no experience required.
CONTACT DETAILS
For any further inquiries please contact our Cultural Therapeutic Support & Youth Services team on: 03 5331 5344, or visit the Cultural Therapeutic Support & Youth Services Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071547619943
COMMUNITY HOME SUPPORT SERVICES
HACC-PYP
BADAC’s Home Support team provides support and assistance to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Community members regarding home and community care and disability services.
The range of services offered include:
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Community Home Support Program
If you, or someone you care for, can generally manage, but just need some help with daily tasks to continue living at home, the Commonwealth Home Support Program may be right for you.
The aim of this program is to help older people live as independently as possible — with a focus on working with you, rather than doing it for you.
The program is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and over, and non-Aboriginal people aged 65 years and over.
Contact My Aged Care to arrange your assessment:
Call: 1800 200 422
If you would like BADAC to provide your CHSP services, please let your Aged Care assessor know
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HACC-PYP
The Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) focuses on the needs of the following individuals who do not have an aged care or disability package, but who may need help with regular activities to be able to better manage living at home:
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged under 50 years old
• Non-Aboriginal people under 65
Services available for the CHSP and HACC-PYP include:
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Home maintenance
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Garden maintenance
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Respite
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Transport
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Group activities with BADAC
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Domestic assistance
For further information on the above programs, please contact our Community Home Support Services team on: 5331 5344
BADAC can implement approved plans to achieve your goal in the following areas:
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Therapeutic Support
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Participation in Communities
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Group/Centre Activities
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Assistance in Household task
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Assistance in Personal Activities
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In-Home Care Support
CONTACT DETAILS
For any further inquiries please contact our Home Support Services team on 5331 5344.
EARLY YEARS LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT
Early Childhood Services offers support for children and families in a holistic environment within the Ballarat and District Aboriginal community.
The range of services offered include:
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Bengadak Babab Playgroup
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bupup balak wayipungang initiative (KPSA)
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Perridak Burron Early Learning Centre (Brown Hill)
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Yirram Burron Early Learning Centre (Sebastopol)
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Yaluk Buuron Early Learning Centre (Ballan)
Connected Beginnings:
Connected Beginnings draws upon the strength and knowledge of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. The aim is to increase Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children’s and families’ engagement with health and early childhood education and care. It improves access to existing early childhood, maternal and child health, and family support services so children are safe, healthy and ready to thrive at school by the age of five.
You can reach out to our Connected Beginnings team at Yirram Burron Early Childhood hub, 111 Rubicon st Sebastopol.
Ph: 53 356 231 or email: admin@yirramburronel.net.au
CONTACT DETAILS
For any inquiries regarding daycare and kindergarten, please contact our teams at: Perridak Burron on: 03 5334 4727;
Yirram Burron on: 03 5335 6231;
Yaluk Burron on: 03 5368 1628
For all other Early Years inquiries, please contact the Early Years manager Bridget at bbuttacavoli@badac.net.au
KOORIE FAMILY SERVICES
BADAC’s Koorie Family Services programs are designed to strengthen and support Aboriginal families in our community. These programs are delivered in a culturally aware, confidential and empowering way.
The range of services offered include:
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(IFS) Integrated Family Services
For families that require a range of different supports. IFS eligibility is for families with children newborn to 17 years. With a team of highly trained and skilled Practitioners that work alongside each family to attempt to meet their goals that the family have requested. Referrals can come from internal/external stakeholders & self-referrals.
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(AFLDM) Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making
The purpose of these meetings is to implement and co-convene a culturally safe, responsive model of family led self-determining meetings. Families can only be referred by DFFH Child Protection for AFLDM. The AFLDM process provides families the opportunity to have a voice and make decisions on their own behalf and to ensure they set their own goals.
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(FPRR) Victorian Family Preservation & Reunification Response program
The FPRR is a therapeutic case management model. It is an intensive program that supports families with preserving children to remain in parental care or to work on reunification, the overall goal is to prevent children from entering the out of home care system. Our Practitioners are highly skilled and trained to ensure that families are meeting the goals they’re setting while being client led & trauma informed. Families must be referred into the FPRR program by DFFH CP/ACAC – Gobata Burron. The Practitioners can work with pregnant mothers and families with children under 17, by using a range of different evidence based programs and therapeutic approaches.
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(KFT) Keeping Families Together
KFT is the same program as FPRR, however it is the name of the partnership program that BADAC share with CAFS.
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Better Futures/Home Stretch
The Better Futures/Home Stretch team work with all Young People in out of home care from 14 & 9 months through to 21 years old. They provide support to young people to work towards living independently. The aim is for the Young people to leave the program with their needs around housing, health, education, culture & wellbeing met, and for the Young people to be able to ensure they are well connected to BADAC. Referrals for Better Futures and Home stretch can come from DFFH/ACAC - Gobata Burron only.
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(Balert Gerrbik) - KFFE Koori Families First Educators
Balert Gerrbik provides a range of different educational support to parents. By delivering Evidence based programs including Circle of Security, Baby Triple P, Tuning into kids. With a strong focus on educating parents to understand what attachment means and its importance. Building strong connections to their culture and to their children, KFFE work with families from the unborn phase to approx 10 years old.
Referral pathways to Koorie Family Services are made through The Orange Door, Child Protection and external services. IFS referrals can be done via self-referral.
CONTACT DETAILS
For any further enquiries, please contact our Koorie Family Services team on:
03 5331 5344 (Ext #4)
GOBATA BURRON
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Gobata Burron – ACAC Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care Section 18
BADAC named their ACAC program Gobata Burron meaning to “take care of children” in local Wadawurrung language.
ACAC is the actualisation of section 18 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) (the Act).
Section.18 allows for the Secretary of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to authorise the CEO of BADAC, functions and powers in relation to an Aboriginal child subject to a protection order; or a non-Aboriginal child who is a sibling of an authorised child. BADAC's CEO then delegates the relevant powers and functions, by way of a legal instrument of delegation, to Gobata Burron staff and managers.
BADAC begun their pre-authorisation phase of ACAC in 2018 and have journeyed to becoming an authorised agency in 2023.
There are a number of reasons this work in important to BADAC;
- Promoting empowerment and self-determination for their children, families and community
- For Aboriginal people to make decisions for Aboriginal children
- BADAC to be able to make Culturally informed decisions for children and families.
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First Support Program:
First Supports is a program where initial support and assessment of a Kinship placement takes place. BADAC's First Supports worker will work with the carer to assess the placement is appropriate and help with immediate needs. We provide information on support services available to assist families in providing a safe, happy environment for children in out of home care.
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Carer Facilitator:
The Carer Support Roles are focused on empowering and supporting carers to maintain stable, nurturing placements for the children in their care. This space is dedicated to the wellbeing of carers, recognising that sustained support leads to better outcomes for both carers and children. providing tools and strategies for self-care.
A key element of these roles is facilitating the weekly Carers Circle, a safe and welcoming space where carers can connect, share experiences, and feel supported by others in similar situations. These circles are more than just support groups—they include structured activities and learning opportunities that deepen carers’ understanding of self-care, trauma-informed care, and other relevant topics.
Our aim for this program is to ensure that existing carers are well supported and their needs are met as carers. We hope to create a seamless recruitment and onboarding process for new carers that wish to provide care for the children in our program.
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Art Therapist:
Our art therapist uses creative techniques like drawing, painting, and sculpture to help individuals explore emotions and improve mental health. Support community in coping with stress, trauma, anxiety, and personal challenges through the healing power of art in a culturally safe, supportive environment.
CONTACT DETAILS
For any further enquiries, please contact our Gobata Burron team on: 03 5331 5344, opt #4
LOCAL JUSTICE SERVICES
Through ongoing support programs our aim is to help the Aboriginal community, youth and their families who have been in contact with the justice system to heal and reintegrate into the community.
A strong support system and cultural connection helps people heal, build resilience and prevent re-offending.
CONTACT DETAILS
Our Local Justice Services team is located at 8 Market St, Ballarat.
For any further inquiries please contact our Local Justice Team on: 03 5331 5344
STOLEN GENERATIONS
If you are a part of the Stolen Generation and are needing support, please contact the Stolen Generation Program at BADAC.
What is the Stolen Generation?
The forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. Between 1910-1970, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families as a result of various government policies. The generations of children removed under these policies became known as the Stolen Generations. The policies of child removal left a legacy of trauma and loss that continues to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, families and individuals. What happened and why? The forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families was part of the policy of Assimilation.
Assimilation was based on the assumption of black inferiority and white superiority, which proposed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be allowed to “die out” through a process of natural elimination, or, where possible, should be assimilated into the white community. Children taken from their parents as part of the Stolen Generation were taught to reject their Indigenous heritage, and forced to adopt white culture. Their names were often changed, and they were forbidden to speak their traditional languages. Some children were adopted by white families, and many were placed in institutions where abuse and neglect were common.
Assimilation policies focused on children, who were considered more adaptable to white society than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. “Half-caste” children (a term now considered derogatory for people of Aboriginal and white parentage), were particularly vulnerable to removal, because authorities thought these children could be assimilated more easily into the white community due to their lighter skin colour. Assimilation, including child removal policies, failed its aim of improving the lives of Indigenous Australians by absorbing them into white society. This was primarily because white society refused to accept Indigenous people as equals, regardless of their efforts to live like white people. If you are a part of the Stolen Generation and are needing support, please contact the Stolen Generation Program at BADAC.
What we do?
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Social, emotional, spiritual wellbeing support
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Counselling
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Referrals
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Confirmations of Aboriginality
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Stolen Generation Presentations
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Research
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Family History Research
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Annual Healing Camps
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Client Meetings (bi monthly)
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Client Outings (bi monthly)
Contact the Stolen Generation Team
108 Armstrong Street Nth Ballarat, Vic 3350
03 5331 5344
FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES
BADAC's Family Violence Services programs are deigned to assist and support Men, Women and families experiencing family violence.
The range of services offered include:
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Family Violence Therapeutic Programs
We provide family violence counselling to those who have experienced, or are currently experiencing family violence. The team works with victim-survivors and their families to develop strategies to manage trauma, and provide support around their experience of family violence.
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Men's Case Management
Our Men’s Family Violence Case Management Worker (MCM) provides support for Aboriginal men who have used, or have had issues with using family violence behaviours and would like to change these behaviours. The MCM worker assists men to learn about healthy relationships, to identify and understand their abusive behaviours, as well as showing that there are other ways to manage and regulate emotions.
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Men's Community Connections Program (MCCP)
The MCCP provides Aboriginal men opportunities to engage in community activities (learning/social/recreational) of their choosing to assist them in building stronger social, community, and cultural connections. Group activities such as weekly walks, a cooking group, and even a weekly cuppa (our shout!) will be happening but we always offer individual activities for those who may not want to engage in a group setting. This group is for those who have used family violence behaviours and want to make a change for the better and works alongside BADAC’s MCM.
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Women's Community Connections Program (WCCP)
The WCCP provides Aboriginal women who have experienced, or are currently experiencing family violence opportunities to engage in community activities (learning/social/recreational) of their choosing to assist them in building stronger social, community, and cultural connections. We have individual and group activities such as weekly walks, cooking group, and even a weekly cuppa (our shout!).
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The Orange Door
The Orange Door helps to protect women, children, and families from violence and give people an easier way to access family violence & child well-being services. Our Aboriginal Hub Practitioners will assist you with many of the immediate needs you may have whilst also connecting you to culturally appropriate services for further support.
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Adolescent Family Violence In The Home (AFVITH) Program
The AFVITH program provides support to Aboriginal adolescents and their families when there is a young person using violence in the home. The AFVITH worker takes a whole family approach to provide care coordination and planning whilst supporting adolescents and their families to learn about healthy relationships, and respond to developmental needs and behavioural management.
CONTACT DETAILS
For any further inquiries please contact our Family Violence Services team on: 03 5331 5344
