The Work of Coolamon Community
Across Australia, many Aboriginal mothers and babies continue to face barriers to accessing safe, culturally responsive support during pregnancy and early parenting. Coolamon Community was established to help address these gaps and contribute to stronger, healthier beginnings for families.
Coolamon Community was founded in response to a clear need: ensuring that Aboriginal mothers - particularly those in remote areas - have access to basic, culturally safe essentials. The organisation’s founder Evie Wood, a descendent of the Stolen Generation, recognised that many new mothers lacked fundamental items, including a safe sleeping space for their baby.
Through partnerships with Aboriginal Health Services (AHS), Coolamon Community provides practical resources and culturally grounded support that strengthen connections between families and their health teams.
The organisation is guided by a straightforward vision:
to make a Coolamon available to every pregnant Aboriginal mother in Australia, delivered through her trusted healthcare professional.
The Coolamon functions as:
A safe sleep space
A set of high-quality essentials
A culturally meaningful item that supports relationship-building between families and healthcare providers
By embedding the Coolamon within AHS pathways, the organisation aims to encourage earlier engagement with healthcare services, support consistent care, and contribute to improved long-term health outcomes.
Coolamon Community recently participated in The Funding Network Sydney event, where the organisation secured new funding through its pitch night. This support will help extend the reach and impact of its programs.
The founder Evie has also been announced as part of the Snow Foundation’s 2026 cohort for Social Entrepreneurs. This opportunity will connect her with a broader national network and provide access to new learning and development experiences beyond the Northern Rivers - further strengthening the organisation’s capacity for long-term growth.
The value of the Coolamon program is demonstrated through the experiences of the families who receive it. One mother, who feared her baby might be removed from her care, found reassurance when her midwife provided a Coolamon, helping her demonstrate her readiness to keep her baby safe.
Another young mother shared that receiving a Coolamon made her feel acknowledged during a time of loneliness. These stories show how practical, culturally respectful support can build maternal confidence and strengthen engagement with healthcare services.
Funding from Ingrained Foundation has enhanced the Strong Beginnings project in the Northern Rivers. The grant is supporting the creation of a series of educational videos for both mothers and health professionals, and these resources help maintain program quality, strengthen delivery through AHS partners, and support the long-term sustainability of the Coolamon program as it expands.
Volunteers are central to Coolamon Community’s operations, and support is welcomed in several areas:
Hands-on involvement: Sorting stock and packing Coolamons at the organisation’s base in Byron Bay.
Skilled contributions: Assistance in content creation, administration, bookkeeping, and fundraising.
Community advocacy: Sharing the organisation’s work to increase awareness and extend its reach.
To ensure sustainable, long-term funding, Coolamon Community is developing Coolamon Baby, a social enterprise offering premium baby textiles featuring First Nations designs. Profits will be reinvested into the charity’s programs while also supporting Aboriginal artists through meaningful economic opportunities.
The upcoming launch of Coolamon Baby represents an important step toward meeting growing national demand and securing the organisation’s future impact.
Have a further read about the important work of Coolamon Community, and find out ways to volunteer and get involved here: https://www.coolamoncommunity.org.au/