EVELYN McKay has been recognised for her work promoting social wellbeing in the community with a nomination in the Westfield Carousel Local Heroes program.
Three years ago, the South Perth resident single-handedly set up Be My Koorda, a support group for Aboriginal children with disabilities.
The group, meaning ‘Be my Friend’ in Noongar, began after her sons, one who has autism and the other who suffers from anxiety, declared they felt lonely and wanted more friends.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“We have about 30 children as part of the group now, which is just amazing,” Mrs McKay said.
“My boys feel close to the friends they have made within the group and we are running more regular events such as fortnightly Lego Group.
“We have a bus that we hope to use to transport children and continue running school holidays camps with, as we don’t yet have a permanent venue.”
Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) representative Emma Mulvaney nominated Be My Koorda for the Local Heroes program as she believed the program has filled a vital gap in the market.
“This is the only support group in Perth for Aboriginal children and family’s with disabilities and the passion Evelyn has for the group is astounding,” she said.
The $10,000 Westfield Local Heroes grant would assist Be My Koorda with ongoing expenses such as public liability insurance, developing marketing materials, venue hire and the associated running costs of the group.
Other finalists:
Emma Gardiner – Nulsen Disability Services
Rita Kleinfeld Fowell – Midland Information Debt and Legal Advocacy Service
Karoline Jamieson – Nardine
Todd Meyn – Dismantle
Lisa Whittle – C3 Langford