Posts of: rscreativesolutions

National NAIDOC Week 2020 celebrations will be held from the 8-15 November.

The November dates follow the decision by the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) to postpone NAIDOC Week from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the escalating Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across our communities and cities.

The postponement was aimed at protecting our elders and those in our communities with chronic health issues from the disastrous impacts of COVID19.

As cooler weather approaches the need to protect our most susceptible remains.

Further announcements regarding the National NAIDOC Awards and the reactivation of the 2020 NAIDOC Local Grants Round will be made within coming weeks.

The NNC understands that the July dates for NAIDOC may still be acknowledged by communities and organisations, however we are mindful that those celebrations and physical gatherings will still be impacted by the various State and Territory COVID19 restrictions and social distancing measures.

We acknowledge the commitment and tireless work of the many State, Territory, regional and local NAIDOC Committees, organisations and individuals whose passion each year makes NAIDOC Week an outstanding success.

We thank you for your understanding and working with us during these uncertain times.

The NNC are continuing to work with our partners and key stakeholders to make NAIDOC Week 2020 a suitable and fitting celebration of Always Was Always Will Be.

Tyrown Waigana, a Perth based artist and designer, has been named as this year’s winner of the prestigious National NAIDOC Poster Competition. His winning entry – Shape of Land – was judged by the National NAIDOC Committee to have best illustrated the 2020 NAIDOC theme: Always Was Always Will Be.
Waigana, a proud Noongar and Saibai Islander, has previously been named as one of WA’s best new and emerging Indigenous artists. According to the 23-year-old, his winning entry depicts the Rainbow Serpent coming out of the Dreamtime to create this country and how we are strongly connected to it. 
“The Rainbow Serpent is represented by the snake and it forms the shape of Australia, which symbolises how it created our lands. The colour from the Rainbow Serpent is reflected on to the figure to display our connection to the Rainbow Serpent, thus our connection to country. The overlapping colours on the outside is the Dreamtime.”
“The figure inside the shape of Australia is a representation of Indigenous Australians showing that this country – since the dawn of time – always was, and always will be Aboriginal land,” Mr Waigana added.

Find out more about NAIDOC Week

2020 marks the 20th Anniversary of many years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation. This year’s theme is ‘In This Together’ and reminds us that, whether in a crisis or in reconciliation, we are all “In This Together”.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Aboriginal children in Sutherland Shire will benefit from two programs that have received funding under a new health service initiative.

Projects in Menai and Bundeena were awarded Aboriginal Healthy Lifestyle Grants at a December 10 ceremony at Georges River Sailing Club.

The grants are part of a new South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) initiative, which encourages collaboration with Aboriginal organisations and groups to utilise existing assets to improve the health and well-being of the community. 

The Narrangy Booris Aboriginal Early Childhood and Midwifery Health Service in Menai will use its grant to fund the Keeping Track of your Boori project, which will provide culturally appropriate information to families to educate them about the importance of early intervention and living healthy lifestyles. 

Bundeena Public School received a grant to fund a Garden to Plate project, which will see students grow fruit and vegetables in the school garden so they learn about nutrition while cooking lessons will teach them how to make healthy meals.

SESLHD Health Promotion Service Manager Myna Hua said grants of up to $5000 were awarded to projects that addressed healthy eating, physical activity and reducing screen time. 

“The Aboriginal population in south eastern Sydney is continuing to grow at a greater rate compared to the general population and we know this community experiences a higher prevalence of many long-term health conditions, as well as a higher rate of hospitalisation,” Ms Hua said. 

“Likewise, healthy lifestyle programs initiated and managed within communities are more likely to be effective. 

“The projects funded will enable family and carers to become actively involved in the future health of Aboriginal children and youth.”

Original Article

What an honour to be attending the official launch of South Sydney Rabbitohs and Souths Cares first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) tonight. 

We designed the artwork for the RAP to visually communicate the importance of community to the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Souths Cares. It shows the strength of everyone working together to promote participation, sharing and learning to ensure an enriched future.

Souths Cares are pleased to announce a new addition to the Souths Cares family, the Souths Cares 12 seater Community Bus.

Decked out with a slick design, the community Bus will help enhance the work done by Souths Cares.

The purchase of the vehicle was supported by MP for Newtown Jenny Leong through the Community Building Partnership Grants.

Ms Leong, who visited Redfern to see the finished product, was delighted to see the final outcome and hoped that the new vehicle acquired will be able to help Souths Cares further achieve their goals.

“The Community Building Partnerships Grants are designed to support the infrastructure needs and the core needs of amazing services and organisations in our community,” said Ms Leong.

While the bus will now allow South Cares to further increase their work within the community, Ms Leong believes that the bus will also spread a sense a pride, especially within the local Aboriginal community.

“One thing is that it gives a clear recognition to the important connection to Aboriginal culture in the area, from the visuals and the artwork on the bus,” Ms Leong explained.

While many other community organisations applied for funding under the Community Building Partnership Grants, Ms Leong acknowledged the unique role that Souths Cares plays in the local community was a key factor for choosing to fund their project.

Ms Leong was a big fan of the design on the bus, explaining ‘The design looks amazing and if I was to choose any two colours it would be Red and Green. We should be proud of this Bus and we should also be proud of the community outreach work which Souths Cares does”.

The 2018 NAIDOC Week artwork portrays the courage and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. From the ripples of fresh water and salt water, across the travel pathways and song lines of our traditional lands and skies.

Painted by Bigambul woman, Cheryl Moggs, from Goondiwindi, the painting portrays the 2018 theme, Because of her, we can! showing the courage and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Find out more about the 2018 NAIDOC theme, and check the community calendar to find an event near you at www.naidoc.org.au

Well this year it was hard to resist entering the NAIDOC Poster competition due to the significant theme “Because of her We Can”

Whilst we didn’t win the competition it was not about winning it was to pay tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women that have played a significant role in our history and that continue to inspire and empower each generation both past & present.

They are the pillars of our Families, Communities and Society. They have paved the way for future generations to continue their legacy, progress and move forward.

It is because of them We Can!

Find out more about the 2018 NAIDOC theme, and check the community calendar to find an event near you at www.naidoc.org.au

Youth Off the Streets is a NSW-based non-denominational community organisation. We support young people who may be homeless, drug dependent or recovering from abuse as they work to turn their lives around. It is our goal that young people will leave our care drug free, with a high school education, living skills and a full or part time job in hand.

Youth Off the Streets commissioned RS Creative Solutions to develop the artwork for their Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan for 2017 to 2019 which was launched on 15^th November 2017.

The Artwork

The Community

The centre of the artwork represents the entire community from all walks of life, from the Youth to the elderly uniting together. As a community we all have a responsibility to support the growth of young people and support them in reaching their full potential.

YOTS Workers & Youth

Youth Off the Streets support young people and mentor them through their hardships and encourage them to turn their lives around in a positive way.

Streets & Pathways

The Pathways you see represent the Streets, which lead the Youth into Youth Off the Streets services for assistance.

Outreach Services

The symbol represents the Outreach services that YOTS provides and the Youth workers who assist young people with their issues.

The Innovate RAP was launched on 15^th November 2017