Australian Red Cross continues to proudly walk alongside Tiraapendi Wodli

'All In' this Reconciliation Week: celebrating Tiraapendi Wodli’s life-changing outcomes for Aboriginal communities.

In November 2025, South Australian Aboriginal-led community hub Tiraapendi Wodli celebrated a significant achievement: it became an independent Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) for justice reinvestment. The milestone reflects a deep-seated commitment to improving the health, safety and lives of Aboriginal people by addressing underlying causes of crime among the community, a vision that was first established by a visionary group of leaders on the lands of the Kaurna people in 2018.

“As an ACCO, we can deliver stronger arguments, accountability of change [and access] increased funding opportunities, with a strong economic foundation for reinvestment into Aboriginal communities.”

Today, Tiraapendi Wodli – meaning ‘protecting home’ in Kaurna language – is located on a quiet street in Port Adelaide. In addition to being somewhere community members can come to ask for help and access services such as mental health counselling or the NDIS, Tiraapendi Wodli is a culturally safe space for conversation, connection and healing, whether it’s over a shared meal or as part of a yarning circle.

“People feel safe here, for a start,” reflects Aboriginal Community Elder Uncle Alex. “And when they feel safe, they’ll open up and talk about their problems. It’s turned my life right around, coming here and helping out too.”

Australian Red Cross has been walking alongside Tiraapendi Wodli since the very beginning, providing backbone support behind the scenes such as administration and financial management as well as human resources assistance.

All support is planned and delivered in close collaboration with the Tiraapendi Wodli directors and community, making sure the voices of Aboriginal people stay at the centre of every decision and opportunities are co-created – a commitment at the heart of Australian Red Cross’ fourth Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Each month, Tiraapendi Wodli provides more than 400 instances of support to people who come through its doors. Each year, more than 650 individuals and families receive comprehensive support from Tiraapendi Wodli to navigate complex issues and service pathways, reconnect with community and culture and rediscover a sense of safety and stability.

Looking ahead, Tiraapendi Wodli is working towards establishing itself as a full independent business and operational systems from July 2026. Australian Red Cross will continue to walk alongside the organisation as part of our pledge to support systemic change through Indigenous-led solutions to challenges big and small.

This National Reconciliation Week – which is themed ‘All in for Reconciliation’ – we celebrate Tiraapendi Wodli as it continues to grow from strength to strength and produce real life-changing outcomes for Aboriginal people.