$25,000 from local miner helps schools celebrate NAIDOC week

Coal & Allied has provided $25,590 through its Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee to help schools in the Upper Hunter region celebrate NAIDOC week.

The celebrations, which began last week, have included art, music and drama workshops, cultural excursions, an Indigenous sports day and an Indigenous feast.

Wendell Peacock from Singleton Council said the community still has the chance to view some of the students' artwork over the holidays at Singleton Council's Youth Venue.

"NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia this month to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," Ms Peacock said.

"We hope our celebrations, which have grown over the years from an art competition to an extensive programme of events, will help foster respect and reconciliation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, teachers and community members.

"Coal & Allied's Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee has been helping local schools celebrate NAIDOC week since 2007. I would like to thank them for their ongoing support."

Ms Peacock said the celebrations have united the community by involving all schools as well as local Indigenous associations, Elders and artists.

"A total of 11 schools have been involved in NAIDOC week, including bigger schools like Singleton High School and smaller schools like Kirkton, Jerry's Plains and Milbrodale public schools.

"Local Indigenous groups, the Ka-Wul Education and Cultural Resource Centre, Buda Muda Indigenous Women's Corporation, St Clair Aboriginal Corporation and the Ungooroo Aboriginal Corporation, have also played a significant role in supporting the activities.

"It's been a wonderful chance to showcase the rich traditional heritage of the Upper Hunter."

Coal & Allied Aboriginal Relations Specialist, and committee Executive Officer, Cate Sims said the programme was well aligned with the committee's vision.

"The Coal & Allied Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee has provided $723,000 in funding towards worthwhile Indigenous projects with sustainable outcomes in the Upper Hunter since its inception in 2006," Ms Sims said.

"We are proud to be supporting NAIDOC week once again and hope these celebrations help foster a sense of pride among local Indigenous people of their rich and diverse culture."

Other recently approved funding from the Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee will help showcase the work of local Indigenous artists, Denise Hedges and Les Elvin at the Wupa@Wanaruah exhibition in September.

Earlier this year the committee also provided $61,000 to Singleton trainer, Capability Resources, to help recruit a fulltime Indigenous employee as a trainer and mentor for others.

Media Enquiries:
Nathan Scholz
07 3361 4354 / 0417 613 174

Media Release - $25,000 from local miner helps students celebrate NAIDOC week [PDF: 23 KB]