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Newsletter Number 1

June 2000

 

WB01339_.gif (896 bytes)Cape Conran Camp

WB01339_.gif (896 bytes)New Learning Centre

WB01339_.gif (896 bytes)Rural Women's                Network Conference

 Cape Conran Camp

A huge get together of women & children from areas such as Moe, Newborough, Morwell & Bairnsdale was held at the Cape Conran camp. The purpose of the camp was for everyone to meet and plan future course developments. The mixture of children, sand & wildlife was a riotous combination.

The highlight of the camp was the attendance of Biggibilla & his partner Ooboon. Biggibilla past on stories that were told to him by Kurnai elders, in particular Uncle Jock Hood. Biggibilla kept the children fascinated with his stories & art.

The camp was a great success for all!!!!!! 

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Future developments: the release of new & exclusive doll moulds.
New Learning Centre:

On Friday April 28, the Hon. Mr Keith Hamilton officially opened the new Djeetgun Kurnai Learning Centre in Newborough.                                     About 80 people attended the function, including traditional Kurnai women, their friends & families, government & local council representatives.

The opening of this centre is particularly important to the Kurnai as it represents the first few steps towards independence.

The Learning Program consists of women being taught sewing skills for both personal & future manufacturing purposes, silversmithing, computer literacy & general business acumen.

The Newborough centre is the second of its kind, the first being at Bruthen, which is proving to be a great success.

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Bruthen Centre: Women attending here have been manufacturing porcelain dolls. These dolls have been very well received by the general public  & have been sold to people from all around the world.

With the success of the dolls has come the belief that true independence from government support is achievable.
Rural Women's Network Conference

Seventeen women from the Djeetgun Kurnai Women's Aboriginal Corporation attended the Gippsland Women's Network Conference held in Sale on Friday, May 18.

  • The one-day 'Having your voice Heard' conference was developed for people who wish to be heard by their government.
  • How to lobby
  • How to petition
  • Use of the media
  • Use of the Internet/Email

Of particular interest to the Djeetgun group was the information technology workshop presented by Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs, Canberra.

We were also honoured to be asked to present our successful projects to the forum. Ms Margaret Pearson outlined the strategies that Djeetgun Kurnai use to "Have Their Voice Heard"

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