THE MESSENGER

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DARKINJUNG’S SCHOOL-BASED INDIGENOUS TRAINEESHIP PROGRAM WITH COMMONWEALTH BANK AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS As you are all aware, Darkinjung is committed to helping develop our future generations through the provision of training and education programs and partnerships. In doing so, Darkinjung partnered with the Commonwealth Bank late last year to offer an Indigenous school-based traineeship program to Indigenous students in our community. We are thrilled to announce that seven students commenced their placement in various Commonwealth Bank branches across the Central Coast at the end of March. These students, who are currently in Year 11, will now earn their Certificate II in Business Services whilst trying out a new career and getting important on-the-job experience. Darkinjung CEO Sean Gordon said, “There was a remarkable response from students in the local community about this program. We had a number of people get in touch with us just days after advertising the traineeship. “I was very impressed with the eagerness of these young students. It’s great to see so many kids from our community wanting to further their education and develop their skills,” added Sean. Kane, Joel, Natalie, Khadija, Dylan, Brad and Rikki have each been assigned a Commonwealth Bank branch where they will undertake the twoyear school based traineeship. Darkinjung would like to thank everyone involved in bringing this program to life. Thank you to the Commonwealth Bank branches who have taken on these trainees - Lake Haven, Morisset, Toukley, Tuggerah, Woy Woy, Bateau Bay and Gosford. Thank you to our partners - Aboriginal Learning Circle, Wyong TAFE, Aboriginal Employment Strategy, the Department of Education and of course all the schools involved. “We look forward to congratulating the students upon the completion of their course and wish them all the very best in their future work endeavours,” concluded Sean. It’s great to see so many kids from our community wanting to further their education and develop their skills through this program.” 6
MY LE,NONET INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE EXPERIENCE BY CRISTAL WALTERS I have just returned as the first LE,NONET International Exchange student from The Wollotuka Institute at the University of Newcastle. This exchange allowed me to work closely with fellow native students, The First Nations. I completed my semester at the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island, Canada and as part of this exchanged I worked first hand with elders and learnt about the similarities between both our cultures. There is no textbook you can read that will teach you the knowledge that they had shared whilst working in community. I have never been on my Country so for me to work and teach on Sartlip Reserve was such an honour. At the University of Victoria ‘The First Peoples House’ is their Aboriginal organisation similar to Wollotuka. The campus is based on the land of the Lekwungen, Coastal and Strait Salish peoples. They have a group of young, passionate leaders named ‘The Campus Cousins’ with whom I worked incredibly closely with. Many of these students are undertaking Political Science degrees. They taught me how to make their native arts such as moccasins, beaded earrings and how to play and sing on the drum. During these activities we were able to share our knowledge on the similarities of our lifestyles and cultures. I would love to see a program like this implemented on the Central Coast. The program was such a success that they will now allow for another student to take part in September 2016. I would like to thank Darkinjung for supporting me through their sponsorship of my exchange as I wouldn’t have been able to meet these wonderful people or go on the trip without their help. The photo above was a painting I gave to the elders as gift of honour – it was painted by my uncle Dal Walters. 2016 – 2019 COMMUNITY LAND BUSINESS PLAN UPDATE The end of 2015 saw Darkinjung reach many milestones and achieve a number of goals and targets. As we move further into 2016 we are working towards the development of a new Community Land Business Plan continuing on from the plan implemented for 2012 -2015. This 2016-2019 Community Land and Business Plan will build on Darkinjung’s achievements as a Land Council over the past three years. It continues the direction set in the previous Plan where we have improved our governance and operational functions, enhanced our profile within the business sector, extended our leadership at both a regional, state and national level, fostered strong partnerships with our Aboriginal community and organisations, and secured a financially strong organisation. Darkinjung can be proud of what the organisation has achieved through the commitment and efforts of its members, Board and staff. The 2016 - 2019 Community Land and Business Plan advances and refines the past versions and reflects the needs of our members and our strategic priorities. As this plan is currently under development we hope to present a completed plan to our members and community in the coming months. 7
Page 1 and 2: THE MESSENGER Bandimayiya - April 2
Page 3 and 4: MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSON Welcom
Page 5 and 6: NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS NAIDOC Wee
Page 7: NAIDOC GOLF DAY Come along and join
Page 11 and 12: LENDLEASE PARTNERS WITH DARKINJUNG

THE MESSENGER

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