Geraldton’s Aboriginal Short Stay is open for guests

Department of Communities (DoC) and Department of Housing and Works (DHW) representatives (L to R): Svetlana D'Souza (Major Projects, DHW), Felicity Horrocks (Executive Director, Office of Director General, DoC), Gayle Mitchell (Executive Director, Office of Homelessness, DoC), Leon McIvor (Director General, DHW), Tessara Callaghan (Major Projects, DHW), Monica Nichevich (Executive Director Housing Delivery and Asset Maintenance, DHW).

The Office of Homeless is thrilled to announce that Western Australia’s fourth Aboriginal Short Stay is now open in Geraldton – the Bundiyarra Regional Aboriginal Community Kinship Stay (BRACKS).

Operated by the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation, BRACKS will provide affordable, safe and culturally appropriate accommodation for Aboriginal people visiting Geraldton and the Mid West Gascoyne Region. The accommodation will connect Aboriginal people with important services, medical appointments and family – contributing to better wellbeing and quality of life.

MercyCare is partnered with Bundiyarra to develop BRACKS governance, mentoring and capacity-building, drawing on its experience managing Aboriginal Short Stays in other Western Australian regions.

BRACKS provides 44 accommodation units for guests, comprising 16 single/twin, 14 family and 14 universally accessible rooms – accommodating up to 100 guests for stays of up to 28 days. Guests are provided with meals, laundry services and, where required, transportation support.

The location of BRACKS in Ukatarra on Bundiyarra land bears strong cultural significance to the Yamatji people and has historically been camping ground for travellers to the region.

Construction commenced in early 2024 by Mid-West-Gascoyne builder and Registered Aboriginal Business, GBSC Yurra Pty Ltd and employed more than 270 people, including 25 Aboriginal tradespeople.

BRACKS adds to the three other Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation services currently operating successfully in Kalgoorlie, Derby and Rome. The project was delivered with input from Aboriginal communities, Elders, Traditional Owners and stakeholders across the Mid-West Gascoyne region.

Visit the Aboriginal Short Stays web page for more information about all short stays, or book a room at Bundiyarra Regional Aboriginal Community Kinship Stay.