The first intensive for 2023 was held in Sydney, on the lands of the Gadigal People. This was the first time the fellows had met in person and there was lot’s of excitement and anticipation, some visiting Sydney for the first time! Arriving from Polouma Island, Townsville, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

 

We stayed at a central location to the harbour and surrounds, and kicked the informal part of the program off at Accor Stadium, for some socialising, and Rabbitohs NRL Experience.

 

 

 

On Sunday we traveled to Kuringai Chase National Park where we met Uncle Laurie Bimson, a Guringai man, who runs Guringai Aboriginal Tours. Uncle passed around and shared knowledge on weapons and tools and participants got to practice their return boomerang throwing skills. We walked along The Basin track to The Basin Aboriginal art site with its rock engravings, where Uncle shared knowledge about this site and how it links with others nearby, and visited beautiful ochre hand-prints. 

 

Finished by a rest at West Head, one of Sydney’s best lookouts, to take in stunning ocean and coastal views before a beautiful native ingredient infused lunch catered by Cafe Dreaming.

 

The next morning we met Uncle Shane Phillips at NCIE in Redfern, who took us on a walking tour of Redfern sharing it’s stories of resistance and pride, visiting Dreaming Cafe, and Aboriginal services, before heading back to NCIE for a personal development project session with Thara & Sofii. 

 

 

 

Participants got to meet the newly appointed Programs Officer Madeline, our former project officer who misses us, Jayden Oakley, Aunty Steffi Armstrong, Aunty Lynette Riley and board members, Jane Pound and Faye McMilan for lunch. Lunch was catered by the incredible Aunty Beryl, who is still cooking and delivering hospitality training in her eighties – a true inspiration!

 

Tanja Hirvonen delivered a wellbeing workshop at NCIE that evening and seeded some great ideas for SEWB support throughout the program, before a much needed dinner and games night.

 

The last morning was spent at Palms Studio, recording video messages from the fellows ‘For Our Elders’ NAIDOC resources and promotion. And a photo shoot with Gammin Threads and Clothing the Gaps merch to use throughout the year. Shelley Ware then delivered her media training workshop offering some incredible tips and tricks from her years of media training and teaching to develop participants’ confidence in public speaking and presenting.

 

The final closing circle came around quickly with participants sharing some great insights, highlights and challenges of the intensive, what they will take with them and a compliment to their fellow participants. The feedback was recorded to inform our future intensives as well as staff feedback. Overall, a successful jam packed intensive and looking forward to reconnecting with some more culturally grounding , wellbeing and professional development focused sessions in WA in September.


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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 Pengarte 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
CW: Suicide ⚠️

Today, September 10th, marks World Suicide Prevention Day. As we wind down from the day, we invite you to light a candle and take a moment to honour and remember those we have lost to suicide. A simple but meaningful wellbeing ritual that you can continue throughout the rest of the year. 🕯️

As always, we stand together as a community, honouring our Ancestors and strengthening our connection to Country, culture and community. Together, we can find strength and healing. ❤️‍🩹

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 immediately.

For more help, you can contact:
Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14
or 13Yarn on 13 92 76

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD #WSPD2024