Thirty years of commitment to south Sydney communities

What began as a modest resource centre has become a welcoming meeting place, drop-in centre and program provider for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Chairperson Deanna Schreiber and Treasurer Ann Cribb say it’s staying true to community needs, having good governance and taking pride in their work that’s kept the corporation strong for so long.

Celebrating a Kurranulla win at the Eora Elders Olympics with Linda Burney

Adapting with community needs

Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation was founded in 1994 by volunteers, including Deanna and Ann.

‘We needed something for our community,’ explains Deanna, who has been with the corporation since it began as a small information hub. Since then, it has grown into a comprehensive service for First Nations people across the Sutherland Shire and Georges River areas.

Kurranulla’s been resilient and adaptable. While it had a focus on providing basic information and support, Deanna notes how it needed to grow quickly along with the needs of Aboriginal families.

‘We found more people each year wanting more information, more places to go,’ Deanna recalls. The organisation evolved, setting up programs for seniors, people with disability, youth, and families facing various challenges.

Celebrating Uncle Bill's birthday with the men's group

‘We started a ladies’ group for seniors and people with disabilities,’ Ann explains. The group was popular and became a safe space for community members, offering support that was more culturally appropriate than other services.’

Kurranulla takes a holistic approach, so people are supported through multiple challenges. For example, the corporation gives critical support to women experiencing domestic violence, helping with housing referrals, and creating support networks.

Its mentoring program, funded through the National Indigenous Australians Agency and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, connects young mentors directly with high school students, opening up job opportunities, education, and emergency support.

‘We help kids who've been kicked out of home, [which might include] finding emergency housing, or helping with school uniforms and excursions,’ Ann explains.

Kurranulla also delivers cultural awareness courses to local businesses, schools, and community organisations, helping to bridge understanding and promote Aboriginal culture.

These programs work together to strengthen people and families, and encourage reconciliation and cohesiveness in the community.

Kurranulla participants in the Eora Elders Olympics with South Sydney rugby league player Cody Walker

Staying ahead of finances

Funding is something Deanna and Ann says they constantly work on – whether it’s searching, applying or reporting. The corporation relies on a combination of government grants, council support, and careful financial management. Ann is an experienced treasurer and manages these complex funding streams so the corporation can continue delivering critical services.

‘We've been receiving aged care funding since 1998,’ she notes. ‘But contracts change, and you must keep up to date with everything.’ This financial knowledge has given Kurranulla an advantage, with Ann always having one eye on financial opportunities and planning for the future.

‘I'm out there all the time for funding opportunities,’ she says. ‘I'm keeping the budget on track – doing the next financial year’s budget with the accountant and the manager.’

Deanna sings Ann’s praises, noting that part of a successful corporation is having a ‘good, stable treasurer’. However, Ann also notes that it’s important that the board is one that listens to the financial advice.

Pride in what we do

The community has driven Kurranulla’s growth and kept it sustainable. One way this shines through is in the corporation's NAIDOC Week celebrations. The gathering began as just a small picnic with community members in the town hall. It’s now a major event attracting people from across Sydney.

‘We started off bringing our own picnic baskets,’ Deanna remembers. ‘Now we're too big for the Great Hall – we're outside as well, and the council says it's the biggest event yet.’

The NAIDOC celebration was a collaboration between Kurranulla and Sutherland Shire Council

The corporation's success stems from the commitment of its volunteers. Both Deanna and Ann have volunteered for 30 years, rewarded by a deep sense of purpose and connection with people, community and Country. Ann remembers that her grandparents weren't considered citizens and weren't entitled to a pension.

‘I take pride in what I do because I know what our ancestors went through,’ Ann explains. ‘New generations have more opportunities. They can have tutors to help them to get through school – as long as they put the work in.

‘We've had kids come back and thank us for pushing them,’ Ann says. ‘Some understand now what we were trying to do.’

Looking forward, their biggest challenge is who will continue the corporation’s work and legacy. ‘We're searching for people to take over,’ Deanna admits. ‘We can't keep doing this forever, but we're worried about what will happen to the organisation we've built.’

For the volunteers at Kurranulla, it’s important the organisation continues on its path of servicing the community and its needs. The area now has roughly 6 schools hosting at least 20 Aboriginal students, showing the community is getting bigger. As Kurranulla approaches its fourth decade, its founders say they hope to see continuing commitment, loyalty, and pride for this growing community.