Around the state

Camooweal graduation marks new start

They came to Camooweal from places like Palm Island, Aurukun, Dajarra, Ingham, Rockhampton and Yarrabah with one aim: to gain workplace skills that would boost their job prospects.

Meet the 28 graduates of the Dugalunji Civil Construction and Mining Skills Prevocational Training Program, a Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.

Over 13 weeks, they have learnt horticulture, landscape rehabilitation, mining, building and civil construction skills and are now workforce-ready.

More information:
1300 369 925

Yesterday’s ways sown for tomorrow

Wujal Wujal artist Doreen Creek uses seeds to create jewellery. She’s adding her story and photographs of her work to a digital archive at her local Indigenous Knowledge Centre. It acts like a virtual museum, enabling knowledge and culture to be preserved, accessed, managed, shared and promoted in a very 21st century way. The State Library of Queensland is trialling the ARA Iritija software in Wujal Wujal and Hope Vale communities.

More information:
http://ikcnetwork.blogspot.com/

Inspired Suncoasters

A recent youth motivation day at Nambour proved a talent finder.

The event, targeting 15 to 25 year olds, was full of activity: from traditional fire-starting and dance to an AFL workshop, face painting and a contemporary performer workshop, getting youth up on stage to rock.

“It was a wonderful demonstration of the amazing skills and talents of young people in our Sunshine Coast community,” reports Youth Justice officer Toni Jenkins.

Memories to dance to

Memories flooded back recently when University of Queensland (UQ) archives were opened up to members of the Mornington Island Dancers.

Mornington Island has been the subject of anthropological research since 1974 and UQ’s Aboriginal Environments Research Centre, as well as the Fryer Library and Anthropology Museum, holds a vast collection of photographs, documents and objects.

“This visit provided an ideal opportunity for the group to discuss our ongoing research  and view and request copies of photographs,” said PhD candidate Cameo Dalley whose research focuses on the social relations of people living on the Gulf island.

Dancer Roxanne Thomas, a little girl when UQ researchers first came to the island, said, “The thing we love best is seeing our photos.”

Legendary Elders

Six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were elevated to legendary status during Seniors Week in August.

They were among 15 older Queenslanders who received 2010 Premier’s Awards for Queensland Seniors in recognition of their volunteer work.

Pictured below are: Cherbourg’s Sandra Morgan (far left), a driving force behind the Cherbourg Historical Precinct; Doreen Ball and Lily Yougie from the Wujual Wujal Warranga Justice Group; Aunty Annie Roe and Clifford Appo who support the Bundaberg Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing and Advancement Society; and Laidley’s Aunty Therese Webster. Read her story on page 8.

Mark has audience rolling in the aisles

About 120 Cooktown residents were rapt when one of Queensland’s funniest Indigenous performers, Mark ‘Chasing the Lollyman’ Sheppard performed his side-splitting take on media, popular culture and urban Indigenous identity.

His one-man show was brought to Cooktown by Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Cooktown ATSIS Office.

Mark’s show is one of seven projects to receive one-off state-federal Indigenous Theatre Fund support, boosting Indigenous theatre practice in Queensland.

More information
Indigenous Theatre Fund
www.arts.qld.gov.au