NSW High School Program Camp

From September 27-30 Aurora hosted 43 young people at its NSW High School Program (HSP) Camp for Indigenous students at Stanwell Tops.

Camps are one key element of Aurora’s HSP Program, which connects Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and their families to educational, wellbeing and cultural opportunities.

Activities included a cultural immersion day with local Indigenous business Gadhungal Murriing in attendance. Students participated in traditional basket weaving, dance, fire making, bushwalking and cultural yarns.

Image: Aurora Mentors and local Indigenous business Gadhungal Murriing guided students during the cultural immersion day.

A curriculum lesson was also delivered based on the documentary ‘The Final Quarter’ by Adam Goodes which explores issues such as racism, harassment, and discrimination within Australia.

The High School Program’s design and delivery is supported by Elders, who have deep connections to the local community.

Aunty Doris Shillingsworth, a Gandugari Elder of the Murrawarri Nation, said it was important for her to share the traditional lore and protocols she was brought up with.

“I want to teach or bring back a lot of these old cultural lores, our cultural protocols, and get the kids to look at how these lores have protected us all these years when we were kids,” she said.

One student said the program had helped her to better understand her culture and identity.

“I really enjoy the program because I feel like it allows me to have a more in-depth understanding of my culture and my background,” Amy said.

“I feel like before I joined, I knew little bits here and there. But coming to these camps, the stuff that they teach us and the people they bring to teach us is really great to open my mind about things too.”

Image: Aurora mentors and students with Bundjalung Elder Uncle Charles Mundine during the NSW HSP Camp.