Goolboo Jawal Financial Wellbeing Hub
IN NOVEMBER 2024 DAC WAS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF VERONICA JOHNSON AS OUR NEW SENIOR FINANCIAL COUNSELLOR. SHE IS A SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO OUR TEAM AND MARKS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ABORIGINAL CONTROLLED ORGANISATION TO DELIVER ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITIES OF THE DAMPIER PENINSULA.
Veronica has established a great working relationship with DAC and Community members through her outreach work. She is an award winning financial counsellor in her own right and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, where she provides tailored financial counselling services to individuals, families, and communities. This initiative aligns with our Binimal Aambooriny Strong People, Healthy Living strategy and our 20 Year Strategic Plan, which focusses on self determination, resilience and financial independence.
Unlike previous models that relied heavily on visiting services, this community driven initiative ensures that the financial counselling is accessible and responsive to the needs of our community members. By embedding these services within the community, we aim to foster a stronger, healthier, and more financially independent future for all. Since taking up the role, Veronica reports being surprised at the extent of the need for financial counselling she has identified within the communities of the Dampier Peninsula. She is working with individuals to navigate a range of issues from questionable sales practices at Telstra to completely shonky funeral plans. She has already been able to achieve successful resolutions for many community members. Veronica accepted the role not just to deliver financial counselling but to train and mentor future financial counsellors, establishing a community owned and led financial counselling program, one step closer to self-determination for the communities.
DAC is committed to empowering our community though sustainable and culturally appropriate initiatives. Veronica’s appointment is a testament to our dedication to delivering on our strategic goals and enhancing the wellbeing of our people.
Money Story
THE MONEY STORY has also a been pivotal project forthe women of Djarindjin. They have been creating beautiful pieces of painting/printing using fabric dyes on silk. The project’s aim is to set up a business which will be self-sustaining. Participants are learning all aspects of running their own small business from balancing the books, using accounting packages, to taking payment with Eftpos.
A delegation of Money Story participants from Djarindjin have been guests at the Financial Counsellors Association of WA Conference in Perth every year since 2022. Veronica organised and facilitated these trips, initially in her Broome Circle role, and more recently as DAC’s Senior Financial Counsellor. While in attendance our women have been able to gain some interesting and valuable financial insight provided at the conference.
Veronica organised for the Djarindjin contingent to have their own stand to display and sell the scarves and cards they produced. The work they presented received a fantastic response from the bankers, regulators and financial counsellors in attendance. Much of their stock sold out. Proceeds from the sales of Money Story pieces are divided between the artists and a portion of the take goes back into a kitty to purchase more materials.
We offer you non-judgemental, free and confidential financial information, counselling and advocacy
FAQs
- Help you to assess, consolidate and manage debt
- Work with you to set financial goals and create a budget
- Negotiate with creditors on your behalf about repayment arrangements
- Check if you're eligible for government support
- Help you apply for hardship variations on existing loans
- Explain the risks of bankruptcy or accessing your superannuation early and guide you through the alternatives available
- Budgeting issues – trouble keeping up with bills and other financial commitments
- Contact from debt collectors
- Repossessions or evictions
- Default notices
- Utility disconnections
- Court issues and fines
- Centrelink issues
- Bankruptcy
- Tax debt
To allow a Financial Counsellor to establish a full picture of your finances, you need to bring the following information to your first appointment:
- Details of income (such as pay slips or Centrelink statements)
- Current bank statements
- A list of all your debts
- Copies of (or information about) all your loan agreements
- Details of current and outstanding bills
- Copies of (or information about) any court documents you have received
The service is free and confidential
Please refer to our Goolboo Jawal Booklet