COOEE History
Turning Interest into Action
Here at COOEE we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources in order to further achieve our cause. Since 2002, we’ve been supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, young people and community members in a variety of ways and measuring our success not by monetary size, but by more qualitative measurements such as the scale and effectiveness of our efforts.
COOEE Indigenous Family and Community Education Resource Centre (COOEE), also known as COOEE Elders, provides culturally responsive support services, educational programs, and a safe and welcoming community space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Redlands and Bay Islands.
COOEE delivers a holistic, wrap-around approach that supports individuals, young people, and families by fostering connection, cultural identity, wellbeing, and community participation within an authentic and culturally safe environment. The organisation is committed to strengthening the social, emotional, cultural, and educational wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through community-led initiatives that are grounded in respect, culture, and self-determination.
Through its community-led approach, COOEE has developed the capacity to strengthen resilience and increase understanding of the social, systemic, and historical factors that continue to impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is achieved through meaningful cultural engagement and collaboration with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, promoting greater awareness, inclusion, and community cohesion.
COOEE seeks to identify and address the issues that affect the education, development, social inclusion, and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, adults, and families. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, the organisation develops and delivers programs and responses that are tailored to local community needs and priorities.
The organisation regularly convenes and collaborates with specialist service providers, family support organisations, government and non-government agencies, local schools, and community groups to strengthen service coordination, improve access to support, and achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
COOEE also plays a significant leadership and coordination role across the region through its facilitation of the Redlands Indigenous Service Provider Network, which was established in 2014. The network brings together government agencies, non-government organisations, community groups, educational institutions, and service providers to strengthen collaboration, share information, identify emerging community needs, and improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Redlands and Bay Islands.
Through the ongoing coordination of this network, COOEE supports stronger partnerships, reduces service duplication, promotes coordinated service responses, and provides a valuable platform for collective action on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and communities.
As a trusted and respected community organisation, COOEE continues to provide leadership, advocacy, cultural guidance, and practical support that contributes to stronger families, stronger communities, and improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout the region.
Just imagine what we can achieve together!
The Grasstree (Xanthorrhoea) epitomizes the Australian landscape and is very important to Aboriginal people. It is a very resilient tree, it is tough, it withstands drought; bush fires will burn the foliage and blacken the stump but it still continues to survive and comes back growing strong.
The grass tree resembles that of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families – through the most difficult times they too come through the storm much stronger and resilient with appropriate cultural support ,education, motivation and encouragement.
Why is the COOEE logo represented by the grasstree?
'COO-EE' we're calling you back to get on track