My name is Tyrelle Smith. My language name is Golalbi-gan meaning Black Cockatoo. I am the founder and owner of Golalbi-gan Pty Ltd.
Through my father, my lineage comes from Mer (Murray Island - The most eastern section of the Torres Strait Islands) and Kutjala (Charters Towers area). My Fathers Grandfather (on his mothers side) was a full blood Murray Island man Ebo Arus from the Komet tribe. My Fathers Grandmother (on his Dads side) was a full blood Aboriginal woman from Charters Towers area the Kutjala tribe.
Through my mums mother, my lineage comes from Djiru (Mission Beach), Warrungu and Jirribal (Mount Garnet area). My mothers father side is Ngaro (Whitsunday Islands). My Mothers Great Grandmother was a full blood Aboriginal woman. She was a direct decendent of the Djiru tribe. I am connected to Warrungu through my Great Grandfather Alf Palmer who was initiated into Warrungu by the last King Wombino, after seeing his mother (my Mothers Great Grandmother) being pushed into Blancoe Falls during the Blancoe Falls massacres. My mothers father was a direct descendant of the Ngaro people from the Whitsunday Islands. Around the 1870s the Ngaro people were forcably removed to Palm Island.
My mothers, Mum and Dad and my Fathers Dad spent the majority of their life on Palm Island (Munbarra).I spent many years growing up between Palm Island and Townsville (Wulgurukaba and Bindal country) where many (but not all) of family members live to date. As a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman working in the Community Service space for almost 10 years, I've always been passionate about working within my community. It's given me a platform to build my skills, share my knowledge, expand my networks in order to build professional, meaningful relationships with government and non-government stakeholders and organisations. More importantly it's given me a platform to continue to make a positive impact and contribute to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, I've dedicated nearly a decade to working in the Community Service sector. This journey has been deeply rooted in my passion for serving my community. It's been a platform for me to grow, to share my knowledge, and to form meaningful connections. While much attention is often given to the challenges faced by First Nations children and families, it's crucial to also recognise and celebrate the resilience and strengths that have sustained our communities for over 60,000 years. For too long, we've overlooked the wisdom and knowledge passed down by our ancestors. It's time to embrace and draw upon this wisdom to support First Nations children and families as our social and emotional wellbeing is deeply tied to our connection to our community, family, and culture.
Regardless of the strategies and tools we use, our extensive kinship networks, connection to culture, and ties to our land are at the core of who we are as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This foundation must be acknowledged and supported at all levels of service intervention. So at Golalbi-gan Pty Ltd, our aim is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in recognising their intergenerational strengths, revitalise the importance of culture, and ensure children and families remain connected to their kin networks, culture, and community throughout life's journey.
Through my father, my lineage comes from Mer (Murray Island - The most eastern section of the Torres Strait Islands) and Kutjala (Charters Towers area). My Fathers Grandfather (on his mothers side) was a full blood Murray Island man Ebo Arus from the Komet tribe. My Fathers Grandmother (on his Dads side) was a full blood Aboriginal woman from Charters Towers area the Kutjala tribe.
Through my mums mother, my lineage comes from Djiru (Mission Beach), Warrungu and Jirribal (Mount Garnet area). My mothers father side is Ngaro (Whitsunday Islands). My Mothers Great Grandmother was a full blood Aboriginal woman. She was a direct decendent of the Djiru tribe. I am connected to Warrungu through my Great Grandfather Alf Palmer who was initiated into Warrungu by the last King Wombino, after seeing his mother (my Mothers Great Grandmother) being pushed into Blancoe Falls during the Blancoe Falls massacres. My mothers father was a direct descendant of the Ngaro people from the Whitsunday Islands. Around the 1870s the Ngaro people were forcably removed to Palm Island.
My mothers, Mum and Dad and my Fathers Dad spent the majority of their life on Palm Island (Munbarra).I spent many years growing up between Palm Island and Townsville (Wulgurukaba and Bindal country) where many (but not all) of family members live to date. As a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman working in the Community Service space for almost 10 years, I've always been passionate about working within my community. It's given me a platform to build my skills, share my knowledge, expand my networks in order to build professional, meaningful relationships with government and non-government stakeholders and organisations. More importantly it's given me a platform to continue to make a positive impact and contribute to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, I've dedicated nearly a decade to working in the Community Service sector. This journey has been deeply rooted in my passion for serving my community. It's been a platform for me to grow, to share my knowledge, and to form meaningful connections. While much attention is often given to the challenges faced by First Nations children and families, it's crucial to also recognise and celebrate the resilience and strengths that have sustained our communities for over 60,000 years. For too long, we've overlooked the wisdom and knowledge passed down by our ancestors. It's time to embrace and draw upon this wisdom to support First Nations children and families as our social and emotional wellbeing is deeply tied to our connection to our community, family, and culture.
Regardless of the strategies and tools we use, our extensive kinship networks, connection to culture, and ties to our land are at the core of who we are as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This foundation must be acknowledged and supported at all levels of service intervention. So at Golalbi-gan Pty Ltd, our aim is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in recognising their intergenerational strengths, revitalise the importance of culture, and ensure children and families remain connected to their kin networks, culture, and community throughout life's journey.