The Challenge

The key challenge was to communicate a wide range of health, wellbeing, education, and community services while maintaining a strong connection to culture and community. The experience needed to:

• Clearly communicate the organisation's purpose and values
• Make diverse services easy to discover
• Highlight more than 50 years of community history
• Create a strong connection between people, culture, and services
• Present healthcare information in a clear and accessible way
• Showcase community activities, events, and programs
• Provide clear pathways for enquiries and support

The Approach

The project focused on creating a warm, community-centred digital experience that balances professional healthcare communication with cultural identity. The structure brings together organisational information, service areas, history, community stories, events, resources, careers, and contact information. Visual storytelling plays an important role, using community photography, cultural imagery, historical milestones, and people-focused content to communicate Awabakal's connection with the communities it serves.

Key Service Areas

Mental Health & Wellbeing Wiyala provides social and emotional wellbeing support, family wellbeing programs, healing services, counselling and clinical care, advocacy, referrals, and community wellbeing activities.

GP & Medical Services Primary healthcare and community-focused medical services covering general practice, chronic disease management, allied health, preventative health, immunisation, specialist services, and men's, women's, and children's health.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Wiyala provides social and emotional wellbeing support, family wellbeing programs, healing services, counselling and clinical care, advocacy, referrals, and community wellbeing activities.

Dental Care Dental services supporting eligible community members through general dental care and preventative oral health services.

Aged Care Support for older community members including domestic assistance, social support, home maintenance, personal care, and transport.

Preschool & Playgroup Early learning and community programs designed to support children, families, learning, development, and community connection.

Community & Cultural Programs Community events, cultural activities, youth initiatives, education programs, workshops, gatherings, and initiatives that strengthen connection to culture and community.

Storytelling & Heritage

A major part of the experience is the organisation's history. The story follows Awabakal's journey from the early vision for a community-led Aboriginal organisation in Newcastle through its development into a broader provider of health and community services. Key milestones include the beginnings of the organisation in 1973, the opening of services in 1975, the development of youth and cultural programs, and more than 50 years of community empowerment.

Community Connection

The experience places people and community at the centre of the organisation's identity. Community photography, cultural ceremonies, creative events, youth activities, Elders' gatherings, and community workshops help communicate the organisation's values and demonstrate its connection to Country, culture, and generations.

Result

The final experience brings Awabakal's healthcare, wellbeing, community, education, and support services together within one clear and engaging digital environment. It creates a strong balance between healthcare information, cultural identity, organisational history, service discovery, and community storytelling, helping people understand the organisation, explore available services, and connect with the appropriate support.

Key Highlights

• Community-first digital experience
• Strong cultural identity
• Clear service categorisation
• Healthcare and wellbeing-focused communication
• 50+ years of organisational history
• People and community-focused storytelling
• Integrated service discovery
• Accessible enquiry and contact pathways
• Dedicated sections for careers, resources, events, and activities