YARNING SPACE - INDIGENOUS TEAM

The launch of the recreated ‘Yarning Space’ at North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre saw community members and children join us to see how fabulous the space now looks. Children and adults used their creativity to paint a rock, to make this space a community space, a place belonging to the community at North St Marys. 

During the project we have had children visit the space  from North St Marys Community Preschool, St Marys North Public School, Gulyangarri and families from Community Junction groups, groups at North St Marys Neighbourhood Centre and Penrith City Council Mobile Playvan. It’s exciting to have so many people involved in the project, all whom have contributed to a place of belonging.

The Sista Speak Program

The Sista Speak Program has commenced at Shalvey Public School and we are currently working with year 5 and 6 Aboriginal girls.

We were lucky enough to have a visit from Alison a mobile hairdresser to talk to the girls about hair care, making homemade hair products and giving the girls some tips on braiding. We are all very proud of the girls and their creation of some fantastic braid styles on each other hair.  The girls got to take home a comb and a spray bottle with leave in conditioner they made for their hair. Sista Speak program is run in the school, the girls have visits from guest speakers, discuss issues impacting their lives and learn about culture and have a lot of fun.  

MAGNETIC PLACES – BERANGA (we belong – Darug Language)

Beranga, set in North St Marys, involved 13 young people getting together to create works of art which included visual and digital media. 

Community Junction Inc. partnering with Daisy and Thomas from Curiousworks (a media company) have focused on young people getting to know each other while learning various other aspects of digital media. 

One week involved learning and experimenting how a camera works by creating mock interviews and filming themselves. They also learnt film terms for different types of photography and filming shots. The final weeks of the project saw young people inspired by Uncle Wes a local Indigenous Elder storyteller passing down stories about events in his life and encouraging young people to do the same with their lives and culture whilst celebrating the history and culture of their community.