Spreading the message of reconciliation in Geelong

Relationships between young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have been strengthened by a unique sharing of experiences and stories through Aboriginal art at a Geelong school.

The Spreading the Message project brought together a group of Aboriginal young people at Northern Bay College to share their stories through designing and painting timber bollards.

The project was a collaboration between Geelong Regional Alliance (G21) and Northern Bay College, to promote reconciliation and strengthen relationships in the region.

G21 Director of Health and Wellbeing Dr Fiona Reidy said the bollards were now significant pieces of public art that formed a basis for discussion between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth.

 “The artworks show the diversity of young Aboriginal people, their understanding of their culture and their connections to family and community,” Dr Reidy said.

“It’s through listening and learning about the experiences of young Aboriginal people that we build better relationships, which in turn breakdown false stereotypes and discrimination.”

Northern Bay College is on Aboriginal Wathaurong country. The students learned about the history of that country and also of other Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures.

Award winning Aboriginal artist Nathan Patterson and proud Wathaurong woman Corrina O’Toole helped the students with how to express what they wanted to say in words, symbols and story art.

The students worked on the project for half-a-day each week over six weeks, from May this year.

Dr Reidy said the project included the production of a short book and video as a resource to help other schools launch similar activities.

“Common themes in the art are the relationship to the land and animals that shape Aboriginal culture and identity, and the importance of a spiritual connection and of family,” she said.

“The project was developed in response to the Yarn About Youth Report (2012) which found that 90 percent of young people think the relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians is important.

“Young people want to know more about Aboriginal history and culture and this project demonstrates how this can be achieved.

“The resource is now there for other schools around the region and the national to consider developing similar projects.”