Hands on support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with appointment of new coordinator

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the City of South Perth can get immediate and free help with the appointment of Beverley Mason as Southcare’s new Aboriginal Family Support Officer.

Beverley is a Noongar woman from Perth and has hands-on experience in social services working in a frontline capacity for many years assisting clients from all different age ranges and backgrounds with family and domestic violence, first aid, Aboriginal mental health and child protection.

Joining Southcare in its 40th anniversary year, Beverley says she is a change maker and wants to help stop intergenerational trauma.

“I am excited to be able to help people with their everyday living and to create a better future for the next generation,” Beverley said.

“I am very open to people’s diversity and one of my main mantras to live by is “you need to meet me halfway” because if I am not met “halfway” the goal or task cannot be finished so there is a collective push for us all to do better.

“There is so much potential in Southcare and how this team can create opportunities to expand the community network including opportunities for Indigenous women as well as working with schools and younger kids to help improve their education,” she said.

Beverley has already had a taste for working with Southcare in her previous role at the Department of Housing.

“Southcare provided assistance to many Department of Housing tenants with gardening help and rubbish removal and I was involved in requesting that assistance,” she said.

“I would like to see that program offered as an ongoing support for the community through Southcare and expand it to allow women to come together too.

Beverley is pictured in front of a mural called “The Six Seasons” designed by local artist Kevin Byander and painted by art students from Clontarf Aboriginal College.   The mural tells the journey of nomadic people as they follow the changing seasons.  It is located at Waterford Plaza, which is within the community that Southcare serves.

Southcare’s Aboriginal Family Support is a free and confidential service operating from its Manning headquarters.  If you need help, reach out to Southcare on 9450 6233 or learn more here.