Meet Shelley – A Cycle Breaker, Trainer and Assessor & Founder of Koort Connection

I am Shelley, a proud Noongar and Wongi woman who was born under the poverty line in my country, navigating the harshest realities of foster care, domestic violence, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, and incarceration. I know what it’s like to feel lost in a system that was never built for us—to tick every box of disadvantage and still be expected to survive.

But I refused to let my past define me. I chose to break the cycle.

That’s why I created Koort Connection—to walk alongside young Aboriginal girls who are facing the same struggles I did. I want them to know that no matter what they’ve been through, they have the strength, culture, and power to rise. They are more than their circumstances, and they are never alone.

At Koort Connection, we don’t just talk about healing—we live it, we feel it, and we grow through it together. Because when we connect, we heal. And when we heal, we rise.

Are you ready to walk this journey with us?

Our Programs & Workshops

At Koort Connection, we offer a range of culturally grounded programs and workshops designed to empower Aboriginal girls, support their healing journeys, and strengthen their sense of identity and self-worth. Each program is thoughtfully crafted to address unique challenges while fostering personal growth, leadership, and community connection.

Our programs include:

Empowering Yorgas Program
Foster Care Healing Program
Understanding Anger & Building Strength

Through these workshops, we combine storytelling, hands-on learning, cultural practices, and emotional support to create transformative experiences that help young women heal, grow, and rise.

Empowering Voices Workshops
8 Week Program

This program is a transformative journey that will provide your yorgas with the skills to:
Strengthen their cultural identity and pride in who they are
Develop leadership skills and confidence to step into their potential
Set boundaries, build resilience, and learn to say ‘no’ Create self-care plans that support their emotional and mental well-being
Understand healthy relationships and how to navigate them with confidence
Give back to their communities and become role models for the future

Each session runs for 90 minutes (this is negotiable) and includes hands-on activities, yarning circles, cultural connections, and personal reflection. The final session will be a celebration of their growth and achievements, leaving each participant with tangible reminders of their journey.

Girls in care - Stepping into your Power

6 week program

The Foster Care Healing Program is a deeply personal and culturally grounded program designed for Aboriginal girls who have experienced the foster care system. Created by Shelley, a Noongar woman who spent 15 years in care, this program provides a safe space for young women to heal, reconnect with their identity, and build a future with strength and confidence.

This 6-week journey explores:

Healing the Abandonment Wound – Understanding the impact of foster care and finding ways to heal.
Letting Go of Shame – Breaking free from the stigma of being in care and embracing personal strength.
Forgiveness & Moving Forward – Exploring forgiveness as a tool for growth and empowerment.
Cultural Identity & Connection – Learning about heritage, family origins, and reclaiming cultural identity.
Building a Support Network – Creating strong, supportive relationships and a sense of belonging.
Empowerment & Future Visioning – Recognising personal strengths and setting goals for the future.

The Foster Care Healing Program is designed for girls with all levels of literacy and numeracy, using hands-on activities, storytelling, and yarning circles to make learning meaningful. This program isn’t just about healing from the past—it’s about stepping into a future filled with self-worth, strength, and connection.

You are not alone. Your story matters. Your future is yours to create.

Understanding Anger and Building Strength

4 week program

Anger is a powerful emotion—it can either hold us back or push us forward. The Understanding Anger & Building Strength program helps Aboriginal girls recognize, express, and channel their anger in a way that leads to healing, self-empowerment, and personal growth.

This program creates a safe space to explore:

What Anger Really Is – Understanding anger as a response to hurt, injustice, and past experiences.
Cultural & Personal Strength – Drawing on cultural wisdom and personal resilience to manage emotions.
Healthy Expression – Learning safe, productive ways to express and release anger.
Breaking the Cycle – Understanding how anger has impacted family and community, and how to change the story.
Turning Pain Into Power – Using anger as motivation for positive change and self-determination.

Through yarning circles, storytelling, hands-on activities, and real-life strategies, this program helps young women build emotional strength and confidence.

Anger doesn’t define you—how you use it does.

About Koort Connection

Our Vision and Mission

Koort Connection was created from the heart—born from lived experience, resilience, and the deep belief that every Aboriginal girl deserves to know her worth. Founded by Shelley, a Noongar woman who spent 15 years in foster care and experienced incarceration, Koort Connection is a safe and empowering space where young women can reconnect with culture, identity, and self-belief.

Through tailored programs, workshops, and mentoring, Koort Connection walks alongside Aboriginal girls as they navigate the challenges of walking in two worlds. We focus on healing, self-worth, leadership, and building strong foundations for success. Our approach is rooted in cultural strength, storytelling, and community—guiding girls to see the power in their past and the possibilities in their future.

Shelley’s journey is a testament to transformation—turning pain into power and creating a pathway for the next generation of strong, independent young women.

At Koort Connection, we believe in the strength of the heart, the wisdom of culture, and the resilience of our young women. When we connect, we heal. When we heal, we rise.