HIGHLY respected Yorta Yorta Elder Aunty Sharon Jones has dedicated her life to community, culture, and healing. After 30 years in early childhood education, she joined Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative (RAC), transitioning from the kindergarten program into therapeutic work. She later pursued a postgraduate degree in family therapy, spending 11 years leading family engagement services and guiding staff in strengthening cultural connections.
Now, as Principal Practitioner at Rumbalara, Aunty Sharon is spearheading the Healing Centre, a space to address intergenerational trauma and reconnect Indigenous people with culture.
The Healing Centre will provide a safe space for Aboriginal people who are feeling disconnected – whether due to intergenerational trauma, forced removal from culture, or simply the challenges of modern life. The centre’s holistic approach will integrate mindfulness, storytelling, language, song and traditional arts and cultural activities, such as weaving, sewing and painting.
“Our vision is to heal our people and to connect Aboriginal people who are missing those connections—whether they are disengaged or they come from other parts of the country or different tribes—so that they can become part of the Goulburn Valley community and start to heal,” Aunty Sharon said.
“Children that have that disconnection from their culture and adults, the Stolen Generation, you know, bringing them back home to connect with their people and heal. It’s a healing process and a journey that they’re going to go through with us.”
Sharon is part of a team of four Aboriginal healing practitioners who will deliver services tailored to individuals and family groups. The program has been developed in close collaboration with RAC’s wellbeing teams and the broader community to ensure it meets the unique needs of Aboriginal people in the region.
One of the Centre’s key future initiatives is a healing garden—a space where people can gather, grow edible plants, and cook and eat together on Country.
“Like all of RAC’s services, the Healing Centre is rooted in cultural understanding and supports healing in a way that makes sense to our people,” Aunty Sharon said.
Beyond her professional work, Aunty Sharon is a proud mother of four and grandmother of three, with deep family ties to Cummeragunja.
With a career spanning education, cultural leadership, and therapeutic work, Aunty Sharon’s legacy is shaping the future of local Indigenous communities. Through the Healing Centre, she continues to empower future generations to heal, connect, and thrive.
