Wadamba
means ‘Renew’ in Woi-Wurrung language
Program Artwork
Artist: Ky-ya Nicholson Ward
This painting represents coming from a dark place in your life and earning your way through life and your own journey to reach a bright future.
The background gradients from dark blue to light blue representing the dark past to bright future
The circles along the wavy lives represent the hurdles in someone’s life.
About the program
Delivered in partnership with Corrections Victoria, the Wadamba Prison to Work Program provides a supported pathway to employment for Aboriginal men and women aged 18 to 35 who are on remand. The Program operates at The Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, the Metropolitan Remand Centre, Western Plains, Marngoneet and Ravenhall Correctional Centres. The Program provides access to employment services, career guidance and cultural support for participants in custody and post release.
The Wadamba Program supports participants to become job ready by:
Developing an in individualised Employment Pathway Plan (EPP)
Facilitating access to employment services
Providing tailored career guidance
Providing cultural mentoring support
Offering skill development and work experience
the Wadamba Program Objectives are:
To connect participants to a culturally supported pathway to employment
To direct participants away from offending and into meaningful employment through early intervention.
Increase in the number of Aboriginal young adults engaged in employment.
Provide assistance to participants to overcome barriers to employment.
To support participants to access and undertake qualifications and meaningful work experience to better assist them in entering meaningful employment upon release.
Meet our team
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Tina Sahin
Kurnai
Employment Pathway Mentor
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Brady Jones
Gunditjmara
Employment Pathway Mentor
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Naichese Lovett
Gunditjmara
Employment Pathway Mentor
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Ethan Aldridge
Kamilaroi/Dainggatti
Employment Pathway Mentor
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Terry Atkinson
Wemba Wemba / Boonwurrung / Wiradjuri / Kurnai
Partnerships Coordinator
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Ricky Kildea
Dja Dja Wurrung
Program Manager
“Wadamba is about renewal. It’s about walking alongside our mob as they rebuild identity, purpose and hope. Everyone deserves the chance to write a new chapter in their story.”
— Ricky Kildea, Wadamba Program Manager.