Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd

What Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd does

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd (GEGAC) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) headquartered in Bairnsdale, Victoria, Australia, founded in 1972 to serve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the East Gippsland region. The co-operative operates as a multi-service non-profit, delivering integrated health, early childhood education, family and child welfare, housing, and cultural preservation services. Core offerings include medical and dental clinics, the Aboriginal Health Team, the Dala Yooro Kindergarten and Boorai Supported Playgroup, the Village 21 and Nungurra housing programs, and the Keeping Place cultural centre. The organization employs 43 staff and is governed by an Aboriginal community-controlled board model.

GEGAC's business model is dominated by government funding and grants from federal and state sources, supplemented by modest operational revenue from the Keeping Place (entry fees of A$10 adult / A$6 child) and community donations. Service delivery is location-based across East Gippsland, with a community-led go-to-market motion: the organization is the designated ACCO for its catchment and access is driven by community trust, kinship networks, and referral pathways rather than commercial marketing. Partnerships with VACCHO, Kids Under Cover, BreastScreen Victoria, and Anglicare Victoria extend the service envelope without proportional headcount growth. The model effectively monetizes publicly funded program streams through direct service contracts, NDIS-style arrangements, and accommodation revenues.

Name

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd

Legal name

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd

Website

https://gegac.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GEGAC is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in East Gippsland, Victoria, founded in 1972, delivering integrated health, early childhood education, family services, housing, and cultural preservation programs to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, primarily funded by government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aboriginal Community Health and Welfare Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (MNCH) Programs (BPADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment & Care Planning (HLADALAA), Benefits, Insurance & Entitlement Navigation (Medicare/Medicaid/VA/LTC) (HSABAIAG)

Keywords

• Aboriginal community services
• Primary healthcare
• Early childhood education
• Family violence support
• Youth accommodation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bairnsdale, Victoria

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Grants: GEGAC receives government funding from federal and state departments to deliver community services including family services, housing, health services, and early childhood education. This constitutes the primary revenue stream for operations.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organisation receives donations from charitable organisations and community groups including Share The Dignity, Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, and local community groups for specific programs and Christmas assistance.
3. Cultural Tourism and Entry Fees: The Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place charges entry fees of $10 per adult and $6 per child for guided tours, providing a modest revenue stream from cultural tourism activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GEGAC is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering a comprehensive suite of community services including medical and dental clinics, early childhood education (Dala Yooro Kindergarten and Boorai Supported Playgroup), family support services, youth housing, and cultural preservation through the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place. Services are designed, delivered, and led by Aboriginal people, ensuring cultural safety and responsiveness for the GunaiKurnai community of East Gippsland.

Product overview

GEGAC is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation providing a comprehensive suite of community services across health, early childhood education, family support, housing, and cultural preservation. The organisation operates primarily through distinct service arms rather than a unified technology product platform. Key service offerings include Medical and Dental Clinics providing primary healthcare; the Aboriginal Health Team delivering culturally-informed health services; Dala Yooro Kindergarten and Boorai Supported Playgroup for early childhood education; Koorie Families as First Educators and Aboriginal Best Start for family support; Village 21 and Nungurra Youth Accommodation for housing; the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place for cultural heritage; Men's Gatherings, Youth Night, and Community Garden for community wellness; and GEGAC Academy for workforce development. These services function as standalone community programs rather than integrated software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Village 21: An Aboriginal-led accommodation model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18-21, developed in partnership with Kids Under Cover, providing housing and support services.
• Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place
• Dala Yooro Kindergarten
• Boorai Supported Playgroup

Products and services

• Dala Yooro Kindergarten A kindergarten program for Aboriginal 3 and 4 year olds providing 15 hours of free kindergarten per week, operating Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during school term dates. Incorporates play therapy, Koorie culture and language education, dental and health checks, and kitchen garden programs.
• Boorai Supported Playgroup A culturally appropriate, family-friendly playgroup for Aboriginal children from birth to pre-school, operating five days a week with numeracy, literacy activities, and partnerships with kitchen garden and library programs.
• Koorie Families as First Educators (KFFE) A confidential service for families with Koorie babies and children aged 0-5, offering evidence-based parenting programs, home visits, early intervention support, and assistance accessing services such as counselling, medical care, and legal assistance.
• Aboriginal Best Start Facilitator service helping Aboriginal families and carers ensure children 0-8 years have support during critical early years, focusing on participation in kindergarten, school, and maternal and child health services.
• Medical Clinic Medical services provided at GEGAC's clinic, offering general practitioner appointments with Dr Tim Watford and other healthcare staff trained in ear and hearing screening.
• Dental Clinic Dental services including out-of-hours appointments to expand access to dental care for community members.
• Aboriginal Health Team A team of qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioners providing culturally-informed healthcare including health assessments, screenings, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, treatment plan support, and health system navigation. Includes Beautiful Shawl Project for breast cancer screening.
• Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making Program supporting Aboriginal families in decision-making processes regarding their children's care and wellbeing.
• Village 21 Aboriginal-led accommodation model for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people aged 18-21 transitioning to independent living. Located at 372 Main Street Bairnsdale, featuring six young residents and two live-in mentors, with support for education, training, employment, and life skills.
• Nungurra Youth Accommodation Service Crisis accommodation and housing services for young people, part of GEGAC's response to youth homelessness in East Gippsland.
• Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program (APRAP) Program supporting Aboriginal individuals and families in the private rental market with housing assistance, financial counselling, and legal advice.
• Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place A cultural keeping place for understanding and appreciating the living, vibrant and continuing culture of the Gunaikurnai people. Offers guided tours at $10 per adult, $6 per child, showcasing artefacts and GunaiKurnai history.
• Family Violence Services Family violence outreach workers and support services including Orange Door partnership, providing help for people experiencing family violence or needing support with care and wellbeing of children.
• GEGAC Academy Traineeship program providing career opportunities for community members, helping develop future Aboriginal leaders with qualifications and on-the-job experience.
• Community Garden Thriving veggie garden behind the Elders and Independent Living Services building, producing zucchini, silver beet, tomatoes, basil and herbs. Produce supports Elder lunches and community food bank.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 Aboriginal women screened for breast cancer through Beautiful Shawl Project
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kids Under CovercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Kids Under Cover is a Melbourne-based nonprofit that developed the Village 21 shared living accommodation model. GEGAC partnered with them to build Aboriginal-led accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (18-21) at 372 Main Street Bairnsdale. The development includes 3 two-bedroom units and 2 one-bedroom mentor units, plus communal spaces.
• Anglicare VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024GEGAC partners with Anglicare Victoria to provide the Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program (APRAP) and Rental Stress program, offering financial counselling and legal advice for Aboriginal individuals and families struggling with housing.
• Gippsland Community Legal ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Gippsland Community Legal Service to provide legal advice for community members experiencing rental stress or housing instability.
• VACCHOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation partners with GEGAC for workforce development through Certificate IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice training. VACCHO provides teacher support and curriculum for Aboriginal Health Practitioner qualifications.
• BreastScreen VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Beautiful Shawl Project, BreastScreen Victoria's mobile bus visits GEGAC to provide breast cancer screening for Aboriginal women. Local artist Amanda Morgan designs screening shawls given to women after screening.
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAHS is a partner in the Beautiful Shawl Project collaborative alongside VACCHO and BreastScreen Victoria, working to increase breast cancer screening rates among Aboriginal women.
• Artcourts AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtcourts Australia partnered with GEGAC to design and build a basketball court at Village 21. Artcourts has experience designing courts in Indigenous communities across Australia.
• WarrigunyaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWarrigunya is a Gippsland-based Aboriginal not-for-profit providing support for men after prison release. GEGAC Elder Uncle Harry Stewart was a founding member of Warrigunya.
• Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supports kitchen garden programs at Dala Yooro kindergarten and the Elders' building garden, promoting healthy eating and food literacy.
• BunningsminorOthersBunnings donated materials and support for GEGAC community gardens at the Elders' building and Dala Yooro kindergarten.
• Share The DignityminorOthersShare The Dignity partners with GEGAC to provide care bags for women experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, distributing donations from their network of supporters.
• Backpacks 4 Vic KidsminorOthersBackpacks 4 Vic Kids donates backpacks filled with essential items for children entering out-of-home care or emergency accommodation. Provided over $15,000 worth of gear at Christmas.
• First Languages AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Languages Australia offers funding through the Priority Languages Support program for community language projects. GEGAC supports GunaiKurnai language preservation and education.
• GLAWACminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation - community organisations working together on cultural initiatives including NAIDOC Week events.
• East Gippsland LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Gippsland Library supports Boorai Supported Playgroup with story time sessions as part of early literacy development activities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Anglicare Victoria: Large Victorian community services organisation providing family services, housing, and youth support — and a direct GEGAC partner on the Aboriginal Private Rental Assistance Program. Comparable broad community services provider, though not Aboriginal-controlled.
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS): Larger Aboriginal-controlled health service in Melbourne providing medical, dental, and community health services. Comparable as an Aboriginal-controlled health provider and GEGAC partner through the Beautiful Shawl Project, though larger and more specialised in clinical services.
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO): Peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled health organisations in Victoria and a GEGAC workforce partner. Comparable as an Aboriginal-controlled health entity, though operating primarily as a coordinating body and Registered Training Organisation rather than direct service delivery.

Direct peers

• Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation serving Swan Hill and surrounding regions of Victoria, providing health, family services, housing, and cultural programs. Comparable regional Victorian ACCO with a similar multi-service model and ACCO governance.
• Ngwala Willumbong Co-operative: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in Melbourne providing homelessness, alcohol and drug, and family violence services to Aboriginal community members. Comparable Aboriginal-controlled service organisation with overlapping programs in family violence and housing.
• Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS): Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in the Mildura region of Victoria providing health, family, cultural, and community services. Comparable regional ACCO with similar scope, funding model, and culturally-safe service delivery approach.
• Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in western Victoria providing health and community services. Comparable regional ACCO focused on culturally-safe service delivery to Aboriginal community members in a regional catchment.
• Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES): Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in Melbourne providing aged care, disability, and community services to Aboriginal elders and community members. Comparable Aboriginal-controlled organisation focused on culturally-safe service delivery and community accountability.
• Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited: A large Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in the Greater Shepparton region of Victoria delivering health, family services, aged care, housing, and cultural programs. Directly comparable as a regional Victorian ACCO with a similar multi-service wraparound model and government-funded structure.
• Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative: Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation based in Geelong providing health, family, housing, and community services to Aboriginal community members. Comparable as a Victorian regional ACCO with a similar multi-service scope and ACCO governance model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gegac.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gippsland-and-east-gippsland-aboriginal-co-operative-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/wearegegac

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd