The Board of the Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service (BAHS) has announced the recent purchase of land in Ballina that will eventually become the home of a purpose-built culturally appropriate health facility.
‘It’s been a great week, we have been saving funds for over 10 years, so it’s a long time coming,” Board Chair Brenda Holt said.
BAHS was established in 2008 to work with partners in the Ballina, Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Evans Heads areas to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal People and their families.
Founding and current Board member Aunty Nancy Walke is extremely excited about the purchase.
“We will be holding consultations with our Aboriginal community as it’s important to get their input into the shape and design of this new building,” she said.
Board Member Dave Kapeen believes it’s really important to have a cultural theme throughout the building.
“Hopefully we can get enough funds together to house a cultural art centre as well that will showcase our local artists, and maybe a coffee shop too that our young ones can work in.”
The site for the new building will be on the corner of Grant and Tamar Streets in Ballina.
Pictured: Bullinah’s Board of Directors celebrates the purchase. From left: Paul Simpson, Aunty Nancy Walke, Dave Kapeen, Brenda Holt and Emma Walke.