Maitland Local AECG has just completed its fourth Connecting to Country Program. We had thirty-three participants, comprising senior school executives, teachers and teachers’ aides from a large number of school across the Maitland area.
MLAECG would like to sincerely thank all the wonderful people who came together to make this cultural awareness program such a success. Without you, the MLAECG CTC program wouldn’t be as powerful or as profound.
A big thank you to Aunty Lorraine, Aunty Di, Aunty Rosemary, Aunty Fran, Uncle Warren, Uncle Glenn, Uncle Johnny, Uncle Neville, and Uncle Dennis.
Our first day is always about sharing culture, so participants are taken to a number of significant sites within the Wonaruah Nation.
On day two, the Francis Greenway High School and St Joseph’s High School Junior AECGs presented to the participants of the CTC program. Aside from hearing about all of the wonderful things that the JAECG are doing at their schools, one of the great aspects of the JAECG presenting at the Connecting to Country program is that we are able to see how these students have grown within their identity, self-confidence and self-esteem.
Following this session, participants were involved in the Kinship game under the guidance of Aunty Laurel Williams, who is a descendant of the Biripi Nation.
Day three saw the sharing of Elders’ and other Aboriginal people’s stories. This is usually a very emotional component of the program for all involved.
Below are a few of the Wakakulang dancers who always come and perform for the MLAECG Connecting to Country Program.
