The WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH) joined forces with multiple organisations to put on a jam-packed program of NAIDOC themed events for the recent school holidays in Mount Magnet on Badimaya Barna (Country).
Five allied health students on rural placement with WACRH travelled from Geraldton to Mount Magnet for two weeks to lend a hand to run the activities.
Week one of the holiday program celebrated NAIDOC Week – For Our Elders. Warren Walsh from the Badimia Land Aboriginal Council ran a cultural tour to The Granites where WACRH students learnt about Badimaya Barna, culture and history.
WACRH staff and students helped run craft activities including beading goannas and snakes, basket weaving, ceramic, and boomerang painting. Everyone went bush at different stages throughout the week.
WACRH Community Development Officer Courtney Taylor, who is based in Mount Magnet, was invited by the community to attend the Elders luncheon where she enjoyed yarns with the community, as well as becoming the DJ for the event. Favourite artists by request included the Warumpi Band, Archie Roach, Pigram Brothers, John Bennett, and the Yabu Band.
In the second week of the holidays WACRH ran crafty recycled box activities and got messy with some slime play with the children. Scary tissue box monsters and a huge box maze was constructed.
Occupational therapy student Jae said the WACRH students wanted to create a fun space for the kids to come to during their holidays.
“Mount Magnet was a great community to work with and even after only two weeks there, we will miss the people,” says Jae.
A big thank you to all our partners: Badimia Aboriginal Land Council (BLAC), Centacare Family Services – Bidi Bidi, Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS) - Mount Magnet, Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation (GSAC) - Mount Magnet, Infinity Skate WA, Jade Reed, Mount Magnet Police, Shire of Meekatharra, Shire of Mount Magnet, Shire of Yalgoo, Soroptimist International of The Midwest Inc, Stephen Michael Foundation Ltd. (SMF), Wirnda Barna Art Centre, Yulella Aboriginal Corporation.
Photo caption: Nathalia face painting WACRH occupational therapy student Jae in Mount Magnet.