Coolamon Community - About Us

Photograph by Sarah Duguid

Coolamon Community is a registered Charity and Not for Profit Incorporated Association based in Northern Rivers NSW

It takes a community to raise a child and our purpose is to help give Aboriginal mums and new babies the best start in life. We do this by providing the “The Coolamon” which is delivered to mum preterm or just after birth, by those trusted Healthcare workers who care for her at Aboriginal Health Services.

The people that have helped us develop “The Coolamon”, its contents, delivery and ongoing support include:

  • Healthcare workers at Aboriginal Health Services including Doctors, Paediatricians, Support Workers and Midwives.

  • Aboriginal communities

  • Mothers & grandmothers, aunties, fathers, grandfathers, uncles etc.

  • Partners in industry e.g. suppliers of safe sleep spaces, mattresses, children’s clothes etc.

  • Community partners

  • Public donors

We have a lot to achieve in the next 36 months

Goal One

“Coolamon” Supply

To supply 500 “Coolamons” through Midwives at the Aboriginal Health Services in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast NSW and Yolgnu country in NT between January and December 2024. The Coolamon complements existing services and does not duplicate any existing baby bundles.

Goal Two

Extend Our Services

Over the next 3 years to increase our footprint of supply of the “Coolamon” to First Nations communities throughout regional and remote Australia through their local Aboriginal Health Services and Aboriginal Maternal Infant Support Services.

Goal Three

Aboriginal Mothering

To work in collaboration with Aboriginal Health Services, mothers, and communities to create and publish a First Nations designed book telling the the proud history story of Aboriginal Mothering including practical advice for mums on caring for their baby and themselves in those initial precious months.