Fellows arrived at Nipaluna/Hobart Airport and settled into shared accommodation at Kingston Beach on Palawa Country in Lutruwita/Tasmania. It’s located on the South East coast of the island, along the timtumili minanya (Derwent River) and at the mouth of Browns Rivulet. 

Day one was at Piyura Kitina (Risdon Cove), where as a group staff and Fellows reflected on the Fullaship Program, SEWB (Social and Emotional Wellbeing), and culture as a protective factor with Culture is Life’s CEO Belinda Duarte. Which included some of the story of Culture is Life, the organisation’s purpose and values.

Jamie Langdon, Kulai Sculthorpe and Baden Maynard from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre welcomed us to Piyura Kitina with a tour of the property, history of this area and sharing the pride of being able to work on land managed and cared for by Palawa. It is also a place where the community has the Aboriginal children’s centre, community gatherings and it is the base for Palawa Kipli, the first and only Tasmanian Aboriginal food business in Lutruwita. 

To cool down and reflect, Culture is Life staff took Fellows to the foothills of Kunanyi (Mt Wellington) for a walk to Silver Falls, shaded by lush eucalypts, ferns, dogwood and other beautiful native plants. Fellows even met an echidna at the falls, who agreed it was the perfect place to ground yourself and take a moment to just be!

The day ended with a Welcome/Introduction to Country and Saltwater Healing at Kingston Beach, led by Palawa and Koorie man Dewayne Everett-Smith. He shared his story with the Fellows and staff, his connection to the place we were meeting, how it was part of his childhood and the power of music in his life as a singer and songwriter.

Day two Fellows visited Lunawuni/Bruny Island for a day of learning and reflection with Palawa community members Bronwyn Dillon and Linton Burgess from wayti Culture and Knowledge. Highlights included a Welcome ceremony at Little Trumpeter Bay where a seal was also welcoming us on the beach, a visit to a stone tool quarry site and Truganini steps to learn about who the steps are named after, learning that Fellows and staff were meeting on her Country, some of her story and taking a moment to think about the life she lived and to remember her always. 

Fellows finished their time visiting Lunawuni by coming together for a feed of mutton birds and abalone with staff and community at Murrayfield. Sharing the significance of mutton birds to Palawa people and providing a new food experience for many of the Fellows.

The day ended with a swim together at Kingston beach to cool down after a hot day and then Fellows and staff came together again after some rest for the music night at the shared accommodation. We were joined by guests Dewayne Everett-Smith and Jodie Haines (Gomeroi) who helped kick off the night sharing their love of music, sharing some yarns and playing guitar as everyone joined in singing along to the different songs. 

Day three we had a mentoring session which rotated with Culture is Life staff and guest mentor Jacob Prehn (Worimi). Fellows then had a special night tour at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, connecting with our animal kin, learning about the important work in caring for, protecting and rehabilitating native wildlife. 

The final day featured a Mobile Content Creation Workshop with Jordy Gregg (murrie man) and a walk on Kunanyi with Ruth Langford (Yorta Yorta) to reflect, take in the sacredness of this Country and Kunanyi (Mt Wellington) and walk together along the Sphinx rock track. Fellows and staff concluded the Intensive with a final dinner at the accommodation, joined by guests, including our caterer, Toni (Honey Child Creole).

The next day Fellows and staff all traveled together to Naarm/Melbourne to get ready for the Fullaship Program 2023 Graduation.


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Meet Koby Sellings, one of our 2024 Fellows! Koby is a proud Gunai Kurnai man who is passionate about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and advocacy. ✊🏽

This is evident through his past and current commitments with Yalari, headspace National and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. Koby was also the Community Engagement Officer at the @koorieyouthcouncil, which saw him lead the 2023 Koorie Youth Summit, as well as the Blackouts in Mildura and Warrnambool. 💛

Currently, he works at Yalari and has been working in the leadership and wellbeing space to help in the personal development of Yalari's students and alumni. 🧘🏽‍♂️
The 2024 Fullaship in Gimuy (Cairns) wearing their deadly creations made in the “Clay Speaks” workshop hosted by @ttpopp_ 🎨 

Thank you to the deadly tidda @taliciaminniecon for yarning with the young mob and sharing her story, talking about healing and her journey with social entrepreneurship. 💛 

As tidda said, this is why we do what we do - for the next generation, our children, our community and our connection to culture. ✨

📸 @ttpopp_
Meet Bri Apma Hayes, one of our deadly 2024 Fellows! 👋🏽 Bri is a proud Arrernte woman, born and raised on Waddawurrung country in Geelong. She is an artist who grew up learning stories and techniques from her father which she now uses to connect with other people and share culture, history and people's journeys. 🎨

Bri is passionate about education and is currently Co-Chair for her Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group to help all young mob feel safe and heard in education environments. ✊🏽
Arrernte and Kalkadoon filmmaker, Rachel Perkins, has been awarded the Distinguished Services to the Australian Screen Award at the Screen Music Awards in Naarm (Melbourne). 🏆

“Her stories, whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, have become woven into the fabric of our national story. 🎬

They challenge us to look deeper, to understand more fully and to walk in the shoes of those whose experiences may be different from our own.” - Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, which present the Screen Music Awards. 🙌🏽
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📱 Read the full story via @nitv_au
Meet Jeremy Last, one of our 2024 Fellows! Jeremy is a proud Ngaanyatjarra & Pitjantjatjara man studying a double bachelor's degree in International Relations and Arts majoring in Indigenous Knowledges & Society at the University of Adelaide. 👨🏽‍🎓

Jeremy is passionate about community development and advocating for mob. On a personal level Jeremy enjoys playing Australian Rules Football, trail running, spending time with my family and friends and also volunteering at a youth group. 🏃🏽
The 2024 Fullaship mob have landed in Gimuy (Cairns) on Yidinji & Yirrganydji Country for their second intensive ✈️

Special thanks to Traditional Owner, Jiritju Fourmile, for the warm Welcome and showing us around this beautiful Country. 🍃
Meet Raychelle (RayRay) Mckenzie from the 2024 Fullaship Program! RayRay is an Anbarra, Nakara young person with ties to Luritja and Yamatji mobs, passionate about grassroots initiatives and community empowerment. As an MC, rapper, and poet, they express stories of resilience and disparities through music and creativity. 🎤

As part of their Fullaship project to develop as an artist, RayRay has recently performed with Kobie Dee on his Northern Territory Tour and is also passionate about addressing Rheumatic Heart Disease and Streptococcus A, sharing insights from their lived experience and the effects it has on families and their community. 🫂
Today, October 10, marks #WorldMentalHealthDay 🌏 This is a gentle reminder that it's ok to not be ok. Take care of yourself, your mob and your Country. 🫂 It's all connected. 🫶🏽 #MentalHealthMatters

Artwork via @coffinbirth
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