Bay Mob Expo
As part of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Program, sponsored by Civil Training Australia and Cooee Cafe, the Southern Peninsula Basketball Association (SPBA) was excited to support the 2021 Bay Mob Expo, held Friday 16 April at Narim Marr Djamba.
The expo showcased many of the health, education, and wellbeing opportunities available for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities in the Frankston & Mornington Peninsula region.
Under the Peninsula Basketball initiative, Frankston Basketball Association, Mornington Basketball Association, and Western Port Basketball Association joined our Southern Peninsula players to bring the benefits of Basketball to the ATSI community.
Damian Paul, President of SPBA, said, “to be able to work with all four associations to bring the health benefits of Basketball to one of the fastest-growing ATSI communities in Victoria is something we are all proud to be involved with.
Frankston, Mornington, and Westernport Basketball Association were incredibly generous in time, resources, and even prizes to make the day an outstanding success.
I wanted to say a big thank you to our Community Engagement Officer, Peter Caspersz, for all his efforts in organising our involvement.”
The event was created and supported by a group of local organizations – Frankston Mornington Peninsula Primary Care Partnership, Peninsula Health, Frankston City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Chisholm Institute, Dandenong and District Aboriginal Cooperative, Monash University, Narim Marr Djamba, Willum Warrain, and with funding provided by Frankston City Council and the Victorian Government.
While the Bay Mob Expo focused on the needs of the ATSI community, our players and officials benefited greatly from their involvement. Peter Caspersz noted how mutually beneficial the day was to all involved, saying “I wanted to thank both Narim Barr Djamba and Deborah O’Reilly Nugent for inviting us to be a part of the Expo. It was a fantastic learning experience for all of our members. We were so grateful to all the Elders present for sharing their culture and wisdom with us.”
There is a great deal of support on offer for any Aboriginal and Torrens Strait Islander basketball players who wish to get involved in basketball at any of the four associations. If you would like more information, please contact Community Engagement Officer, Peter Caspersz via email: community@sthpen.com.au