Vacsal Aboriginal Best Start

12/11/2025

VACSAL is honoured to receive this award as recognition for years of dedication and hard work within our community. It’s been an incredible journey made possible by the support, trust, and collaboration of so many amazing people. We would like to thank all that has been involved in the ABS program throughout the years, the Aboriginal Best Start facilitators the ACCOS, Njernda, GEGAC, Dandenong, Wathaurong, Goolum Goolum and VACSAL ABS team.

27/10/2025

Too deadly 🖤💛❤️

20/10/2025

We want to hear from you!

Aboriginal Best Start is exploring how we can better support families as children transition into 3-year-old Kinder and Pre-Prep.

Your voice matters! Help shape the way we support our little ones by completing a short family survey.

📱 Scan the QR code to share your thoughts.

13/10/2025

Healesville

🍎 Tucker Bag Food Support – Book Now! 🍞
Tucker Bag offers a free box filled with fresh fruit and vegetables, pantry staples, and fridge/freezer items, available to all community members.
📅 Pickup: Fridays between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM
📲 How to Book:
Text 0447 472 983 with:
Your full name
Number of adults and children in your household
Preferred pickup time between 1 PM and 3 PM
Please Note:
Text only, calls are not monitored.
Bookings must be made before 5:00 PM on Thursday.
We will text back with a confirmation of the time

29/09/2025

Don’t forget to RSVP!

🎉 Get Ready, You Mob! 🎉
The Connected Beginnings Launch + Health Check Day is happening this Thursday at GEGAC — and it’s gonna be deadly!

👀👂🦷💪
Round up the fam and come get your little ones checked out — eyes, ears, teeth, and full 715 health assessments. Plus, we want to yarn with you about what’s important to you mob.

🎯 What’s On?
We’ve got a whole heap of fun lined up:

🔫 Laser Tag – unleash your inner action hero!
🐐 Petting Zoo – pats, cuddles, and cuteness overload!
🎨 Kids Activities – games and cheeky fun!
🎁 Prizes & Incentives – yep, there’s goodies up for grabs!
🍽️ A Feed – come hungry, leave with a full belly!
So grab your crew, head to GEGAC, and let’s make health checks a celebration! 🎈

31/07/2025

Have you registered for the ‘Balyang Bolt’ yet?

Register your attendance here: https://bit.ly/4nNX60r

Have you registered for the ‘Balyang Bolt’ yet? Sign up by Monday 4th August to get yourself a deadly running singlet as part of your registration!

The ‘Balyang Bolt’ fun run/walk is happening on Sunday, August 17th at Barwon Valley Park! Choose from 21.1km, 10km, 5km, or 1km distances. Prizes for top 3 finishers and a deadly medal for all participants!

Kids’ activities include face painting, inflatable games, and giveaways. After the run, enjoy a free feed with a BBQ for all participants.

Free for Mob with the promo code THEKOORIEWAY. Allies are welcome with a $50 entry fee. Don't miss out, make sure you register by the 4th August to guarantee yourself a running singlet and look the part!

Register here: https://bit.ly/4nNX60r

31/07/2025

22/07/2025

The countdown is on!

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is on Monday 4 August. This years theme is “Little Footsteps, Big Future”

How will you celebrate on 4 August?

How will you be celebrating National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day?

Held every year on the 4 August, this is a special day for us all to honour the voices of our children and celebrate the strength of our culture.

It's an opportunity to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and learn about the impact that culture, family, and community play in their everyday lives. Join us as we celebrate our children to thrive, be strong in culture and connected to kin and community.

22/07/2025

Want to give your old toys a new life?

Berrimba is on the look-out for well-loved toys that are in good condition, to help support the learning and development of our kids.

If you have Lego, Mobilo, dress-ups, toy cars or dolls/figurines that are in good condition, and you’re happy to donate them, please get in touch!

You can drop in at 94 Hare Street or call on 5481 0640.

08/04/2025

This World Health Day CATSINaM celebrates the work of Professor Cath Chamberlain, our inaugural Chief Midwifery Officer, in leading the Replanting the Birthing Trees project.

As we know, and as we acknowledge this World Health Day, the health of mothers and babies is the foundation of healthy families and communities. Through the project, Cath and team are seeking to transform compounding cycles of intergenerational trauma and harm into positively reinforced cycles of nurture and recovery.

Access the Replanting the Birthing Trees Resource Hub here - https://rbtresourcehub.com.au/

View the webinar series here - https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/onemda/research-group/indigenous-health-equity-unit/research/replanting-the-birthing-trees/rbt-webinars

Learn about the online course here - https://emergingminds.com.au/news/new-online-course-replanting-the-birthing-trees-supporting-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-families-and-children-in-the-first-2000-days/