Indigenous Success Stories Forum

Part of Yalukit Wilam Ngargee festival, the Indigenous Community Success Stories Forum highlights and celebrates different community programs and ideas that are working at innovative grassroots levels through to unique corporate relationships.

The forum will highlight the diverse approaches embraced by community and will take the form of presentations, talking circles and hands-on workshops.

The day includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch, networking drinks and special guest performers.

Dates: 9.30 to 5pm Friday 30 January 2009

Venue: St Kilda Town Hall 99a Carlisle Street St Kilda 3182

Registration 9.30—10am
 
Programs>
Beyond Empathy:  Success is not a destination it’s a journey
A focus on the success of one of Beyond Empathy’s Indigenous programs Mubali and the involvement of elders as a vital and critical element to the work that they do. The presentation will focus on the journey of two of Beyond Empathy's leader's journey from participant to mentor and their experience working with young emerging artists.

Growing together - Gunditjmara  mentorship program
The first of its kind in Victoria, the Gunditjmara mentorship program is a joint initiative of the Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative and Brophy Family and Youth Services. Developed after concern from a local elder, it involves non-indigenous adults in the Warrnambool community agreeing to mentor Aboriginal youth, developing a special friendship with that young person in an environment of fun, trust and guidance.      

Southern Indigenous Family Violence Action Group
The Southern Indigenous Family Violence Action Group consists of Indigenous community workers/members and representatives from mainstream service providers who are committed to develop strategies, programs and culturally specific responses to reducing family violence issues within our own communities.

Inner South Community Health Service
The project aims to raise awareness about cervical cancer improve rates of pap testing and HPV vaccinations within our catchments; and explore how sexual health services can be made more accessible for Koori women.  The project plans to achieve this through the formation of two gatherings for Koori women, story telling by Aboriginal elders and the creation of a possum skin cloak through the guidance of renowned Indigenous artist Vicki Couzens.  The project will culminate in the cloak being displayed at Yalukit Wilam Ngargee Indigenous Festival.

Indigenous Access to Childcare – Aboriginal Best Start
Best Start is an early years initiative supporting families, caregivers and communities to provide the best possible environment, experiences and care for young children in the important years from pregnancy to school.

ANZ     Employment Initiatives
ANZ is providing opportunities for Indigenous Australians to create sustainable career pathways.  Representatives from ANZ will discuss the programs past successes and their plans for expanding the Indigenous employment program.

Koorie Night Market   
Celebrating the success of the Koorie Night Market project and how opportunities are created for Aboriginal stallholders and community. The Koori Night Markets are a great vehicle to assist Indigenous community to build up small businesses and share our culture with the wider ommunity.

Talking Circles
Your choice of three

1.30 – 2.00pm

Education and Art Talking Circle
With Committed Artists and the Victorian College of the Arts Wilin Centre
For over 20 years Committed Artists has facilitated attendance at theatre, music, dance, sport and film productions, as well as cross cultural meetings between artists, athletes, community members and activists. In the coming years, Committed Artists aims to continue to inspire and empower the next generation of Indigenous youth through the Arts, Sport and Education.

The Wilin Centre at the Victorian College of the Arts is dedicated to providing a holistic approach to supporting Indigenous students and artists. This national centre is shaped by a seven-year strategic plan and offers student support, mentoring, tutoring, hosts artists-in-residences, cultural activities and celebrations in a friendly and accepting environment.

Digital Storytelling Talking Circle
DIDGe – Digital Storytelling Project, Goulburn Ovens TAFE and Pelican Expeditions.
The DIDGe Project has integrated the spirit of the traditional keepers and story tellers of Elders inspiring younger storytellers to interpret old narratives through new media, marking a turning point with educational exposure to digital technology for the local indigenous community.

Pelican Expeditions have been running Indigenous youth programs in Hopevale through their sailing vessel, Pelican, since 2004. Pelican were first invited to work with Hopevale in response to a film documenting Pelican Expeditions work with troubled youth in Victoria's Bass Strait. Since then

Pelican Exhibitions program has expanded each year. Pelican Expeditions are currently working on the Two Bay project in Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.

Stepping Stones Frankston (with Beyond Empathy)
Stepping Stones aims to connect Indigenous people in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula through the arts. The project is directed by Indigenous people in the area and hires Indigenous

professional artists to deliver workshops. The arts workshops include Emu Egg Carving, Batik, Photography, Traditional Weaving, Stencil Art and Drama.  Beyond Empathy will join this talking circle.

Afternoon Workshops

Your choice

1 x two hour afternoon workshop

Stepwise : Stepping Stones for Indigenous Tourism
This workshop helps clarify the complex issues of Indigenous people starting and building enterprises associated with tourism. There is much benefit to be gained from sharing your culture and country with others, but there are also many pitfalls. The Stepping Stones for Tourism is a
thorough program that helps set out a path that is appropriate to you, your culture, your country and the group of people you need to work with. Tourism is a people-focused business that requires good networks and people skills as well as cultural knowledge. How to build these skills and networks will be brought to life with the examples presented in this workshop. There will be opportunities to discuss your own ideas for tourism during this workshop that is presented by

Nicholas Hall and Mandy Muir from Stepwise Heritage and Tourism
Mandy Muir is an Indigenous businesswoman from Kakadu National Park and Nicholas Hall has been helping Indigenous people build tourism businesses for many years. Together they have a wealth of experience to share.

OR

3 x 40 minute workshops

From Little things Big things grow Apology in Practice through Empowering Koorie Youth with Opening the Doors Foundation.
This presentation outlines an exciting initiative which provides educational choice and support for Koorie families. It enables families and students to choose the most appropriate schooling environment and maintains that support from Prep to Yr 12.

Deadly Kids Develop Deadly Books – Community Publishing with Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency.
This presentation will outline the work of Deadly Kids Develop Deadly Books project run in the northern suburbs with Aboriginal children including a small workshop for the participants to partake in creating a book of your own.

Copyrite!     
Viscopy’s Indigenous Visual Artist Education Program is designed for Indigenous artists and community members to gain a greater understanding about copyright, moral rights, resale royalty rights and tips for good business.

The forum will conclude with networking drinks in the Town Hall. All guests are invited to the opening of the visual arts exhibition by Indigenous men and women in various correctional facilities. The opening will include a few words from renowned singer songwriter and playwright Kutcha Edwards.

MC - Belinda Jakiel is one of the most active Indigenous leaders in our community. She is of Wotjobaluk and Polish heritage and works tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous Victorians. Her roles include project manager with the National Indigenous Employment Program for the AFL, Sportsready, a director of Vic. Health, and director of the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia. A former track and field athlete, Jakiel has a strong interest in sport and the benefits of participation.

Ticket Cost: $80 includes lunch and light refreshments,

                    $60 concession.

Credit Payments online or in Person: St Kilda Town Hall, 99a Carlisle St, St Kilda OR Money Orders and Cheque Payments:

Made Payable to City of Port Phillip

YWN09 - Forum

Private Bag No 3

POSt Kilda

Victoria 3182

Please include with money order and cheque payments:

Full Name:

Contact phone number and email:

How many Concession or Full Fare Tickets:

The Indigenous Success Stories Forum is a part of

the Yalukit Wilam Ngargee: People Place Gathering

29 Jan to 7 Feb.