Today I was presented a TAFE NSW Gili Award for the Creative and Design Ideation Student of the Year. So happy to receive this award and honoured to be recognised for work that I have done another great achievement for 2020. Thank you to the Design Unit and Carolanne for your support and nominating me for the award.
2020 marks the 30th year of the TAFE NSW Gili Awards. The TAFE NSW Gili Awards is a significant recognition and celebratory event for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students, their families and communities, TAFE NSW employees and industry partners. Together, they contribute to the strength, diversity and richness of training and education outcomes for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Gili (pronounced ‘kill-ee’) is an Eora word meaning ‘to shine’ and is a very apt name for these awards, as the recipients are a shining example of excellence in Aboriginal education and training in TAFE NSW. Selected from across the State, the nominees highlight and celebrate TAFE NSW Aboriginal student achievements, as well as the innovative programs and dedication of TAFE NSW staff members that help empower Aboriginal people and communities every day.
It was wonderful to visit to Campbelltown Arts Centre (C-A-C) today and see the beautiful NIRIN exhibition and Aunty Barbara McGrady’s work Very Inspiring. I strongly encourage you all to go and visit it.
About the Exhibition – NIRIN
Campbelltown Arts Centre’s 2020 NIRIN Biennale exhibition is one of six across Sydney. This exhibition brings together almost a hundred First Nations artists from all around the world. First Nation peoples are traditional custodians of their land, meaning they have lived on their land before anyone else.
It was a pleasure to partner with the Mental Health Commission of NSW and develop the artwork for their publication “Journey of Wellbeing: A Preliminary Aboriginal Model of Care”.
The Journey of Wellbeing is a social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) model of care that emphasises the individual at the core of a healing plan. This model consolidates the exemplary elements of practice in the SEWB space that are being used by some Aboriginal Service Providers across NSW.
Three Macarthur region TAFE NSW students have taken out awards in the 2020 Southern and South West Sydney training awards.
They are Campbelltown’s Maxine Colligan who was named apprentice of the year, and Picton’s Samuel Jenks, who took out the school student of the year category.
Rhonda Sampson, pictured above, was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year.
The trio will now progress to the state training awards.
NSW training awards celebrate the excellence of apprentices, trainees and students undertaking vocational education and training.
Rhonda Sampson, a TAFE NSW student who operates her own graphic design business, said she was thrilled to receive the award and be recognised for her hard work.
She has completed designs for Aboriginal community groups and not-for-profits and local councils.
“As an Aboriginal graphic designer, I strive to embody my culture in the work I produce and to be recognised for my commitment to the Aboriginal community is so special to me.
“I’m a big ambassador for the positive transformation TAFE NSW can have in people’s lives and career and am thankful for the hands-on skills I learnt in my diploma that helped me kick start my future,” Rhonda said.
Samuel Jenks is completing his HSC at Picton High School.
“It is a great honour to win the award. I was thrilled to even be nominated so to win the award is an awesome achievement,’’ he said.
“I have really enjoyed the hands-on experience of my Certificate III in information digital media and technology and the practical knowledge that my teachers have provided.
“It is empowering knowing I am one step closer to my dream career working in cyber security and I’m still in high school,” said Samuel pictured above.
Maxine Colligan is a TAFE NSW student who is employed by AMA Group and studied a Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.
Maxine, pictured below, said the award wasn’t just a testament to her hard work throughout her TAFE NSW course and passion towards her trade, but a reflection of all women working in non-traditional trades.
“This award is a victory for all women in trades, who, like me, love the industry they’re working in. To be named as apprentice of the year is a very proud achievement for me.
“I’m thankful for the dedication my TAFE NSW teachers put into the course and empowered me with the practical skills I needed to forge a career in the automotive industry.’’
NSW Tertiary Education minister Geoff Lee said that he was delighted that so many of the award winners were from TAFE NSW and that the strong results at this year’s awards we are clear demonstration of the high-quality education and training provided by Australia’s largest training provider.
“TAFE NSW plays a critical role in shaping the careers of people across a range of important industries that are critical to the economy,’’ he said.
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.
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.
Healthy living: Two projects received funding under the Aboriginal Healthy Lifestyle Grants initiative.
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.”
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”.
