GEGAC’s Senior Manager of Culture Aunty May Pearce, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Culture Joshua Tuiono, Chief Operating Officer Noma Johnson and CEO Kenton Winsley meet with the Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn at GEGAC this week.
The Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, visited GEGAC on Tuesday, beginning her day with a tour of the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place.
She was accompanied by GEGAC CEO Kenton Winsley, Deputy CEO and Executive Director of Culture Joshua Tuiono, Chief Operating Officer Noma Johnson, and Senior Manager of Culture Aunty May Pearce.
During the visit, Aunty May and Josh shared the significance of the Keeping Place as a living centre of community memory.
“These are not just museum pieces,” Josh explained. “They are the stories of our families, of our community. It’s a story that is continuing to be told.”
The Governor-General learned about GEGAC’s work to preserve and revitalise GunaiKurnai culture, including language programs at Dala Yooro Kindergarten, Aboriginal dance workshops, didgeridoo sessions, and traditional arts.
“Every year there are fewer people in the community who know language or traditional practices,” Josh said. “We feel a responsibility to pass down these skills so they can survive.”
Following the Keeping Place tour, the Governor-General visited GEGAC’s Primary Healthcare Centre and Dental Services.
CEO Kenton Winsley used the opportunity to advocate for increased funding for prevention-focused healthcare and culturally safe mental health services.
“We need long-term investment to help keep our people well,” he said. “Prevention is key, and culturally appropriate mental health services are essential to community healing.”
The visit concluded with an impromptu performance by the women and girls in GEGAC’s Aboriginal dance workshop, led by Alice Ann Pepper.
The Governor-General joined the group and spent time listening, observing, and participating in the cultural session.
“The women’s dance workshop is just one example of how GEGAC is embedding culture into the everyday life of the organisation,” Kenton said.
“From expanding our Aboriginal Health Team, to hosting men’s gatherings and on-country excursions, to reintroducing language in our kindergarten, these are not one-off events — they are part of a deliberate and growing movement to make culture visible, lived and led across all parts of GEGAC.”
Kenton added that visits like this are a vital part of how GEGAC advocates for its community.
“It gives us the opportunity to tell GEGAC’s story and speak directly to decision-makers about what matters to our people. We will continue to welcome leaders who want to learn and walk alongside us.”
