karrapteeteen (message stick) - South West Local Learning

KARRAPTEETEEN (MESSAGE STICK)
INDIGENOUS NEWSLETTER
WELCOME TO
`MESSAGE STICK’.
Welcome to the new-look,
expanded Karrapteeteen
`Message Stick’ newsletter.
If you would like to make a
suggestion contact South West LLEN:
reception@swllen.net.au
SEPT 2013 - EDITION 1
The newsletter was established in 2006 by the school’s
network Koorie staff, then known as Koorie Home School
Liaison Officers and Koorie Educators and now known as
Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs).
This new-look version will be distributed to more
networks and organisations including schools, police
stations, job agencies and local Indigenous networks.
We plan to feature a variety of articles highlighting the
good work being done in schools and the community to
engage young Koorie children in education.
We expect to produce two editions each year and
welcome your feedback and contributions.
BRING BACK
THE LANGUAGE
Preliminary planning has started for a `Bring
Back the Language’ conference in Warrnambool
in 2014 to showcase what is happening in the
local Koorie community.
Expressions of interest are being sought from
organisations and individuals interested in
participating in a one-day event.
IN THE GOOD BOOKS
Dates and full details are yet to be confirmed but it is
intended that the conference will highlight the good
work happening to promote reconciliation, cultural
awareness and support for Koorie students.
It will also highlight the need to reintroduce Koorie
language, history and culture into local schools.
South West Victorian Aboriginal Language Program
co-ordinator, Joel Wright, and Gunditjmara language
and culture expert, Mark Rose, are expected to be
involved in the conference.
Panmure Primary School ‘s Wannik
tutor Rachael Choppin is in the good
books with her students.
“With Rachael I do reading. I read Marley Books
and Billie B. Brown books. I like Rachael.”
Rachael is conducting three reading sessions a week
with three of the school’s Koorie students.
The students are really enjoying the sessions and
Rachael has noticed a significant improvement in
their reading. The students are also enjoying working
with Rachael who has developed a strong rapport
with them, as shown by their comments.
“We read books and learn the ‘Rainbow words’.
I like it, it is fun with Rachael.” (Daniel Grade 2)
THIS NEWSLETTER DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
South West Local Learning and Employment Network
182a Lava Street, Warrnambool, VIC 3280
P: 61 3 5561 0047 www.swllen.net.au
E: reception@swllen.net.au
(Karina, Grade 3)
“I feel happy that Rachael came to Panmure.
I like reading with her. It is fun to read and write
with Rachael and she gives me, Karina and
Danial stickers.” (Teeshy, Grade 2)
KESO (Koorie Education Support Officers)
Wayne Harradine
99 Fairy St, Warrnambool 3280
P: 03 5564 3513 E: harradine.wayne.l@edumail.vic.gov.au
ADDRESSING
VIOLENCE
AGAINST WOMEN
In Australia one in three women
will experience physical violence and
one in five women will experience
sexual violence.
Violence against Indigenous women is reported
to occur at rates that far exceed those for nonIndigenous women.
But there are ways we can address the problem.
In considering this violence it is also important
to recognise the effects of colonisation and
dispossession on Indigenous communities and their
relationships. It is also important to recognise how
Indigenous communities understand this problem
and how finding their way to solutions involves a
healing approach involving all of the community
rather than punishing the perpetrators.
Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West
(WHWBSW) partnered with Regional Development
Australia to fund the development of the Great
South Coast Prevention of Violence against Women
and Children Strategy 2013 - 2017.
Vic Health research has also outlined what we can
do. This includes whole-of-community action in
three key areas:
• Promoting equal and respectful relationships
between women and men
• Promoting non-violent social norms
• Improving access to resources and support for
those who have experienced violence
Such activity can be undertaken in your local
sporting club, your school or your neighbourhood.
In short we can all be part of the solution. For
example activities outlined in the strategy include:
recruitment of local champions and ambassadors
for non-violence; respect and equity; support
for local respectful relationship education in the
secondary school setting; and community based
White Ribbon Day events led by local men.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED?
Do you have an idea for a local project, taking
action to prevent violence against women?
If so, please contact Emma
Mahony, Research and Policy
Health Promotion Officer
Women’s Health and
Wellbeing Barwon South
West on 03 5564 5786.
RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO ABORIGINAL
FAMILY VIOLENCE AND POSSUM SKIN CLOAK TRAINING
FREE ONE AND TWO DAY TRAINING
DATE:
Tues, 15 Oct 2013. 9.00am - 2.30pm
Wed, 16 Oct 2013. 10.00am - 2.00pm
VENUE: South West Healthcare, Frank Lodge
Conference Room, Warrnambool
DAY TWO: Possum Skin Cloak Training
Day two of the training is designed for Aboriginal
workers and those service providers working with
vulnerable Aboriginal women and adolescent girls.
The Possum Skin Cloak training provides a framework to understand and reduce re-victimisation in
abused Aboriginal women.
DAY ONE: Recognising and Responding to
Aboriginal Family Violence
Day one of the training is designed for Aboriginal
workers, service providers and Police providing
support to Aboriginal families who are experiencing
family violence. The training is designed to assist
someone to recognise and respond appropriately
to Aboriginal family violence and increase their
knowledge of culturally safe services and supports
that are available locally.
To register or for further information
please contact:
Libby Lesock
Close the Gap Coordinator
P: 55644195 or E: llesock@swh.net.au
SISTER WARRIORS
“WE FEEL THAT IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP OUR
CULTURE GOING, COS IF YOU DON’T PASS IT ON THEN
EVENTUALLY IT’S GONNA DIE OUT... AND THE BEST WAY TO
DO THAT IS BY SHARING IT WITH NON-INDIGENOUS.”
These are the words of the young Oceania, a Kalay Warrior.
During a visit to Warrnambool College I came
across a large group of young women practising
a dance routine in the college hall. They call
themselves the Kalay Warriors Dance Academy
and they will be dancing the story of the Stolen
Generations at the Wakakirri Dance Spectacular in
Melbourne at the end of this term.
Oceania was the student put forward to explain
the nature of their all-female school dance group,
and why they are dancing.
She told me that the dance group is made up of
half Indigenous girls and half non-Indigenous girls.
The school invited each of the Indigenous dancers
to bring along a friend who would become part of
the dance.
“Kalay means sister so we call ourselves
the Sister Warriors. We are one big
family,” explains Oceania.
“Together we are trying to pass on the
importance of our culture.”
From what I saw of the dance, it is stylistically
modern using an amalgamation of hip-hop
and contemporary moves to tell an important
Australian story.
The dance is based on the narrative of Rabbit
Proof Fence, a film set in 1931 which tells the
true story of two sisters being removed from their
parents and then later also being separated from
each other.
Asked if she feels that the choreography is
expressing her own story, Oceania responds
thoughtfully:
“It’s everyone’s story really. Because you know,
back in the years before, it was pretty unjust, and
half of us were taken. It’s good that we’ve had the
apology but it’s good if we can try and unite back
together. ‘Closing the gap’ shouldn’t necessarily
be about Indigenous, it’s about trying to bring
everyone together. We don’t want there to be
division. We would love for us to just be all as one,
we’ve got all the different backgrounds but we’re
really strong together.
So we (the dancers) are hoping that by coming
together and passing on our stuff, others are
interested and then they take it and they learn.
Because we’re all humans, it’s not like we’re
different species (she laughs).
So hopefully we will be strong all together.”
Oceania told me that if it weren’t for this and
another program, she wouldn’t be learning about
and discovering her Indigenous heritage. You see,
some of her family are in fact members of the
stolen generation and as Oceania puts it, there are
lost links. There is still a lot they don’t know and it
is only recently that Oceania has begun identifying
herself as Aboriginal.
Growing up without elders who would have
taught her the cultural ways, Oceania is making
up the loss time by now linking in with Indigenous
community members, elders and other young
people, and learning about her history and culture.
She is confidently navigating her teenage years
through this new lens.
During my visit to the dance rehearsal, I observed a
wonderful synergy and cohesion within the group.
They really did seem like sisters and no matter
what happens in Melbourne, I am sure that we
can already consider this project a success.
The school has been filming a lot of the rehearsals
and may decide to make a short film at the end
of the whole process. Here’s hoping that some of
these young ladies will also jump on board with
ABC Opens Me & Mine project, to share a little
more about their families culture, and history
with us.
BY ABC OPEN PRODUCER EMILY BISSLAND
PLAY POWER!
PLAY GROUPS ARE FUN AND FILL A
GAP IN PROVIDING RICH LANGUAGE
AND PLAY ACTIVITIES WHICH
INCREASES LEARNING READINESS
FOR KINDERGARTEN AND SCHOOL.
The Koorie Play Group Network in the South West
was formed in April to support Aboriginal early
childhood staff to plan and share activities based
on culture, identity, wellbeing, communication,
learning and connectedness.
It will also provide a support network for all
Aboriginal early childhood workers in the region
and help workers to gain qualifications while they
are working.
Local language is introduced to young children
through nursery rhymes, welcome and goodbye
songs, and displayed around the play areas.
The playground focuses on identity in many of the
activities where children play at stone story-telling
using generic Aboriginal symbols for animals, and
much more. Identity charts display children’s hand
and foot prints and photos as they are involved in
various activities.
Excursions to fun places provide variety for
children and future plans include regular children’s
gatherings across the region.
Parents participate in all activities and learn much
about early child development, including how to
match story books to their child’s age and interests,
how to read to babies and toddlers in fun and
expressive ways which increases their attention
and curiosity for early learning, and how to
observe the level of involvement their children
have in each activity.
Individual Learning Stories may be gathered for
each child in a journal format which showcases
through photos and short descriptions how they
are learning.
Parents also love to join in the activities.
For more information about the
Network contact:
Claire Jennings:
m. 0402 342 197
e. cjennings@ozchild.org.au
Libby Lesock:
m. 0409 182 328
e. llesock@swh.net.au
PLAY GROUPS INCLUDE:
•D
hauwurd-Wurrung Portland
Thookay-ta Keerna-ke Playgroup
Venue: Lewis Court, Portland
Contact: Amanda Merryfull - 1300 361 680
•M
amoot Guramook Playgroup
Venue: Portland Rec Reserve
49 Oswald Street, Portland
Contact: Amanda Merryfull - 1300 361 680
•W
inda-mara Play Group Heywood & Hamilton
Venue: Hunter St Heywood (Kindergarten)
Contact: Melissa Lillyst - 03 5527 2051
•K
irrae Play Group Framlingham
Venue: Kirrae Health and Community Centre
Kirrae Ave, Purnim
Contact: Beki Neave - 03 5567 1270
•G
unditjmara Koorramook Play Group
Venue: 135 Kepler St, Warrnambool
Contact: Sherry Johnstone - 03 5564 3333
WHO’S THE HERO?
Developed and trialled by the Victorian
Women’s Trust, ‘Be the Hero’ is a web-based
violence prevention program for young
men. On April 19 some of the Warrnambool
Clontarf Academy boys were fortunate to
take part in a workshop led by Paul Zappa
and Daniel Cocker.
The learning objective is to encourage young men
to build respectful relationships with women,
and demonstrating that anyone can be the hero
by choosing to live a life free of violence. This is
delivered through education and workshops that
develop the understanding that young men need to
actively care and support their partners.
Paul and Daniel shared experiences and reflections
that were both insightful and powerful,
demonstrating to the boys various pathways and
choices they could choose and the positive and
negative outcomes of those choices. Through the
discussions the boys came away with a greater
understanding about violence against women
and were equipped with some valuable tools they
could incorporate to safely intervene and reject all
forms of violence. The key ingredients of support,
love, kindness and tolerance promoted through
the workshop fortified the boys in leading more
respectful lives with women and children.
NEW FRIENDSHIP
The Warrnambool Clontarf Academy recently travelled to
Hamilton to play football against Mount Baimbridge College.
Although the Warrnambool Clontarf Academy went to Hamilton a little undermanned, the Baimbridge
boys were more than willing to assist by providing a couple of players to help out.
In extremely wet conditions both teams put on a terrific display of football and great sportsmanship. In a
low scoring game the Warrnambool Clontarf Academy prevailed by a point.
The Warrnambool Clontarf Academy is excited about developing the relationship with Mt Baimbridge
College and look forward to catching up next year for a re-match.
Jayne Cogger from the Physical Education Department at Mt Baimbridge College helped coordinate the
game and arranged central and boundary umpires and made the day run smoothly.
NUTRITION
FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION
As part of Warrnambool Clontarf
Academy’s health focus this year, the
boys took part in a presentation on
August 22 specific to diet and sport.
The presentation was facilitated by
South West Healthcare Aboriginal
Health Promotion Officer Mardi
Nestor and dietitian Marion Cornett.
The session aimed to inform and advise the boys on what
to eat in order to lead a healthy lifestyle and to also equip
them with the knowledge and awareness of nutrition and
its vital role in sport.
During the lunch hour, while the boys prepared themselves
healthy salad rolls, Marion led them through some
guidelines highlighting the key benefits to healthy eating
and also underlining the effect and damage of poor
nutrition. Having worked as the Geelong Football Club’s
dietitian, Marion was able to provide the boys with a
fascinating insight into their nutritional plans especially pre
and post-game.
Warrnambool Clontarf continues to focus on health within
the academy room. Through education and practice it is
hoped the boys will incorporate the learnt practices within
their everyday lives.
DESIGN A LOGO
Can you design an eye-catching logo?
The newly formed Koorie Play Group Network South
West is looking for a new identity and wants the
community to come up with design ideas.
Koorie play groups are fun for all the family and the
group is holding an art competition seeking ideas
that reflect their fun and value.
The network supports Aboriginal early
childhood educators.
KOROIT SERPENT
STORY WITH
KOORIE ARTISTS
The students of Koroit and District Primary
School enjoyed painting the serpent story
with Koorie artists, Rose Litster and Zanna
Harradine. The paintings were done on the
straw bale seats in the school garden.
The school unveiled the completed seats during
Reconciliation Week with Rose telling the serpent
story to all the children.
School principal Michelle Bickley said it was hoped
to install the story beside the art work for future
children to enjoy.
The winning prize is a $250 Target gift voucher and
closing date for entries is October 15, 2013.
Contacts:
Ros Pevitt:
m. 0438 024 885
e. pevitt.roslyn.r@edumail.vic.gov.au
Wayne Harradine:
m. 0409 852 89
e. Harradine.wayne@edumail.vic.gov.au
PHOENIX
EXCURSIONS
OPEN THE LID
ON PERSPECTIVE
Many students wonder about Framlingham;
they know it exists but they are not certain
of its historical significance or how it ties into
their own stories.
Warrnambool College Year 9 students got the
opportunity to put Framlingham into perspective
when they participated in excursions to the
Aboriginal community to actively engage, question
and learn about their rich Indigenous history.
The students are following the theme of `perspective’
for the year and have been looking into the untold
stories of the Warrnambool district.
With the guidance of Warrnambool College
teachers and director of the Framlingham Trust,
Possum Clark-Ugle, students were asked to explore
the impact of colonisation from varying perspectives.
They then linked those perspectives to today and the
role they themselves play in our local community.
Students thought the excursion was valuable in
helping them understand the importance of learning
the varying perspectives of history:
“It was a really good excursion and it left me with a
lot of questions…I learnt that rocks aren’t just rocks,
they were used as tools and weapons.” - Georgina
“I thought the excursion was valuable because it
gave us the education to understand both sides of
the story.” - Matt
After the excursions students created inquiry
questions to research, based on their own interests
and what they found thought provoking on the day.
Examples of questions developed were:
“What led us to being so racist?” - Jackson
“How can I find out if I have any Indigenous
history?” - Tahlia
“How do eels know where to go to return to the
place they were conceived?” - Georgina
The Framlingham excursions helped students to
better understand the curriculum being explored
in class and challenged them to think about what
life has been like for past generations in this area.
By listening to peoples’ stories and experiences,
students were able to critically assess and add to
their own understanding of the role the environment
plays in the formation and understanding of `seld’
and its connection to place.
Photos Below. Clockwise starting at top left: Gil Ayson and Nadia Collis. View of Hopkins River from the old site of the
superintendent’s mission house. Ben Tate, Possum Clark-Ugle, Patricia Clarke.
ONE PLACE
FOR HEALTH
The Gunditjmara Health Clinic
is providing a new service.
After-hours consultations from 5.30pm till 9.00pm
started from September 11 and will continue each
Wednesday evening.
The clinic is an accredited, bulk-billing practice
located in purpose-built premises at 3 Banyan Street
with consulting rooms and a treatment room for
immunisations and minor surgical procedures. Two
doctors — one full-time and one part-time — are
supported by practice nurses, a midwife, Aboriginal
health workers, an extensive range of specialists and
allied health workers as well as administrative staff.
The medical staff view health as a complete
package and ensure that all patients, new and
old, are encouraged and supported to view their
personal health from a medical, social and wellbeing
perspective.
Services provided to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
clients include: GP clinic; minor medical procedures;
ante and postnatal care; immunisations; on-site
pathology; pap clinic; family planning; chronic
disease management plans; preventative medicine
and health checks for all age groups; alcohol and
other drugs counselling; social and emotional
well-being support; smoking cessation; weight
management; diabetic education and Life! program.
To make an appointment call 5564 3344 or
toll free 1800 629 729 between 9am and 5pm
Monday to Friday.
THE RIGHT BEAT
Port Fairy Consolidated students are experiencing learning
through music by participating in a Drumbeat program.
Drumbeat was developed in the wheat belt of Western Australia in 2003 as a means to engage young
Aboriginal men. It is now taught and used by young people and adults across Australia.
It is a flexible program using rhythm that combines experiential learning with cognitive behavioural
therapy, and engages young people and adults who may be anxious or resistant to ‘talk based’ therapies.
THE 10-WEEK PROGRAM IS HITTING THE RIGHT CHORDS WITH STUDENTS.
Isaac Ferguson, Year 4:
I go to Drumbeat to learn how to play the drum. We do beats and make music. You get to learn rhythms
and how to get along with each other. I feel like I’m in a band and it’s exciting. I look forward to it, it’s fun
and I want to play at assembly. Sometimes at the start of the day I feel bad, but at the end of Drumbeat
I’m happy.
Dru Dalton, Year 3:
Every Thursday we do Drumbeat. It’s about expression and what you are feeling. It’s fun, cool and
exciting. My favourite is ‘rumble if’, ‘rumble ball’ and drumming. I trust the group and know they won’t
tell my stories to others. I like Drumbeat because we do two things: talking and drumming. I want to
play for the preps. I have improved at drumming. At the start I wasn’t that good. It’s hard when we are
learning new rhythms, but it is really good fun how we do it. I think we sound fantastic.
STONE PRIDE
Here at Brauer College we now have an Aboriginal message stone.
This is a fairly big stone with a message stick glassed into it. It has the name of the six tribes from around
Victoria and is to show the acknowledgement, respect, and honour of the traditional people of this land
and to show all our respect to the past and present.
We are glad to be part of our Aboriginal culture today; we are also proud to have this stone at the front of
our school to show our respect and acknowledgement to the culture of our Aboriginal community, for what
it is today and for what it is going to become in the future.
Friday August 16 was when the stone was revealed by Victorian Premier Denis Napthine. There were other
important people there like mayor Michael Neoh from Warrnambool and mayor Jim Doukas of Moyne.
They all made speeches and they were all very pleased with the stone. Our principle of Brauer Collage, Jane
Boyle, was very pleased and spoke so highly of how proud she is to have this stone at the front of our school
to represent Aboriginal culture.
We are all so proud to have this at our school.
BY ASHLEE WACKETT, YEAR 10 STUDENT BRAUER COLLEGE
THE PREMIER’S VIEW
“The Victorian Government acknowledges that strong cultural identity is
fundamental to the wellbeing of Aboriginal people,” Premier Dr Denis
Napthine said when unveiling the stone.
“I’m pleased that Brauer College has taken the
step of honouring the Indigenous people of this
region with this special plaque. The school has
a long and proud history of working with local
Aboriginal groups and Indigenous education has
long been embraced and celebrated in the school
curriculum.”
The unveiled stone plaque included a message stick
imbedded with notches symbolising the six tribes
of the Maar nation, the custodians of south west
Victoria. It acknowledges Kerr-up-jmara, ChaapWhuurong, Kuurn-Kopan, Kirra-Whuurong, Yarrowaech, Peek-Whuurong people of Warrnambool
and Moyne regions.
Dr Napthine said there were many renowned
Aboriginal Victorians from the south-west who had
contributed to national pride.
“The State of Victoria, and in particular south west
Victoria, has a very rich Aboriginal cultural history
of which we are very proud,” Dr Napthine said.
“Locals such as Aunty Iris Lovett-Gardiner, who
campaigned for support services for Aboriginal
Elders, Henry ‘Banjo’ Clarke who championed
reconciliation, and Framlingham born music
legend Archie Roach are Indigenous icons who
are an inspiration to many, in particular our next
generation of young Indigenous people.”
LAKE CONDAH TOUR
FARMERS, FIELD NATURALISTS AND TEACHERS FROM HAWKESDALE
P-12 HAVE EXPERIENCED INDIGENOUS CULTURE DURING A TOUR
OF LAKE CONDAH WITH THE GLENELG HOPKINS CMA AND
GUNDITJ MIRRING PARTNERSHIP PROJECT.
At Lake Condah the group’s Indigenous guide demonstrated the use of woven eel traps, and led
visits to the cultural centre and the Lake Condah mission. Uncle Ken Saunders told childhood stories
of growing up at the mission, where families lived and tried to maintain some of their cultural
heritage. He explained that the church was considered ‘unsafe’, but it took several blasts of dynamite
to destroy it and the bluestone was redistributed. Uncle Ken described his dream that the whole
community would come together for an outdoor opera concert in the beautiful natural amphitheatre.
The group also visited the Tyrendarra Indigenous Project site, where stone huts have been
reconstructed and a smoking tree has been identified.
The tour was a valuable experience for all who attended as a first step to understanding and
empathising with the original inhabitants of our country. It helped teachers to be able to provide
students with learning opportunities that encourage open-minded discussion of local history and
cultural heritage.
THIS NEWSLETTER DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
South West Local Learning and Employment Network
182a Lava Street,
Warrnambool, VIC 3280
P: 61 3 5561 0047 www.swllen.net.au
KESO (Koorie Education Support Officers)
Wayne Harradine - Koorie Engagement Support Officer
99 Fairy St, Warrnambool 3280
P: 03 5564 3513 E: harradine.wayne.l@edumail.vic.gov.au