The Fullaship 2024: Naarm Intensive

The first intensive for 2024 was held in Naarm/Melbourne and Wharburton, Victoria, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people. This was the first time the fellows had met in person and there was lot’s of excitement and anticipation. Arriving from Boorloo/Perth, Maningrida (West Arnhem), Tarndanya/Adelaide, Djilang/Geelong, Newcastle, Canberra & the Gold Coast. 

The week was filled with laughter, deep reflections, ideas, and love. Fellows began their journey in Preston for the night for some rest after their travels and had a welcome dinner to meet one another. 

The next day Fellows and staff travelled to Laughing Waters in Eltham and were Welcomed to Wurundjeri Country by Sue-Anne Hunter, a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Sue-Ann spoke about her work in Treaty making and truth telling with the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the history of the Wurundjeri people, launching us into the first intensive of 2024!

Fellows and staff then travelled to Warburton, where everyone stayed for the week on the beautiful Birrarung (Yarra River), grounding themselves and connecting to this part of Wurundjeri Country under Mount Donna Buang.

Throughout the week, Fellows heard from Alumni Leyla Quartermaine (Ballardong-Noongar) and Maya Hodge (Lardil), spent time at Healesville Sanctuary to see Bunjil up close and spent time connecting with animal kin. 

Fellows and staff visited Uncle Dave Wandin at Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission, hearing about what he does as a caretaker, Elder and his vision for the future of the land, which included the importance of native plants, medicines and bringing people together.

The fellows had time to reflect and talk about their values as a group, reflect on their own stories and those who have inspired them whilst growing up. Fellows split into two groups and had yarns with Gamilaraay/Bigambul siblings Uncle Mark Fernando and Aunty Steph Armstrong, which were spaces to be vulnerable, connect and spend time with Elders. 

“The defying difference on programs like this is that there’s a cultural lens before anything. It’s rooted in culture and then the other elements.” – Joel Matysek (Meuram tribe on Erub/Darnley Island), 2024 Fullaship Program

Nights during the program were filled with games, team building, music and performances, including a special performance by one of our Fellows, Ray Ray (Anbarra, Nakara, Yamatji and Luritja), who shared their original pieces. Fellows debriefed with staff followed by a night of sharing stories, laughter and sitting by the fire enjoying some damper and time with each other.

On the last day, Fellows and staff returned to Naarm (Melbourne) for a networking event at the Koorie Heritage Trust, featuring a keynote speech by Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People and Co-Chair of Culture is Life, Justin Mohamed. Guests were welcomed to the space with a live acoustic set from Yorta Yorta musician Madi Colville-Walker, who was also a participant in our Singing Our Futures Program with Archie Roach Foundation in 2023.

Since returning home, Fellows have shared amazing ideas about their personal development, wellbeing and prioritising spending more time on Country.

A special thank you again to Sue-Anne Hunter, Eugene Howard from InPlace, the staff at Oscars on the Yarra, Leyla Quartermaine, Maya Hodge, Aunty Steph Armstrong, Uncle Mark, Uncle Dave Wandin, Caroline Kell from Blak Wattle, everyone who attended our networking event at Koorie Heritage Trust, our funders and partners and the Culture is Life team for all your support during this Intensive.