Our Partnerships and Affiliations

We seek out partnerships, affiliations and collaborations with organisations that share our values. These are an integral part of our development and increase our capacity to provide responsive services and strengthen our influence in building stronger, healthier communities.

Kiribati School and Centre for Children with Disabilities (KSCCD)

In 2021, Guidestar developed a relationship and partnership with the Kiribati School and Centre for Children with Disabilities.

Kiribati comprises 32 low-lying atolls and the raised phosphate island of Banaba. These atolls straddle the equator in the mid-Pacific ocean. Apart from Banaba in the West, Kiribati has three groups of islands – the Gilbert Islands, the Phoenix Islands and the Line Islands. Kiribati’s atolls are wide-spread, mostly less than two metres above sea level and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Kiribati’s population is estimated at 115,000. The atoll of Tarawa in the Gilberts group is the capital and contains half the country’s population.

The Kiribati School and Centre for Children with Disabilities is located in the capital, Tarawa and currently caters for over 300 children with disability.  In 2022, Guidestar funded an Incubator Store building where students develop numeracy and literacy skills through selling their produce to the local community and learn to manage money in a real life situation.

We are currently looking to fund or part-fund equipment for the new sewing centre once building development has finished.  You can learn more about the School here:

Moondani Balluk – Academic Unit at Victoria University

Moondani Balluk means ‘embrace people’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. Moondani Balluk is a culturally safe and supportive place for Aboriginal students and staff at Victoria University. The Indigenous research agenda led by Moondani Balluk is pursuing epistemic justice outcomes within a framework of decolonisation to create spaces that privilege Blak lives, Blak experiences and Blak participation.

(The term ‘Blak’ was developed by Destiny Deacon as part of a symbolic but potent strategy of reclaiming colonialist language to create means of self- definition and expression’ (Perkins & Williamson, 1994, p. 20) ).

In 2022, Guidestar commenced a partnership with Moondani Balluk to support the Blak Women’s Healing Project.  This project invites Aboriginal women in the community who have experiences with the child protection and/or criminal justice systems and Aboriginal women in Dame Phyllis Frost Centre to participate in a series of yarning and cultural practice workshops. Participants are also invited to participate in research yarning along the way.