From North Sydney to the Northern Territory: How cultural exchange program could become a pilot for the rest of the country
The program coordinated by the Culture College Aboriginal Corporation linked year 9 students from Redlands with the Yolngu community in Arnhem Land. Supplied
The vast expanse between Nhulunbuy and North Sydney has been made a little smaller by a first-of-its-kind pilot program connecting remote indigenous communities with students from the city.
Across four days, the program coordinated by the Culture College Aboriginal Corporation linked year 9 students from Redlands with the Yolngu community in Arnhem Land.
"It's a privilege to listen and learn directly from First Nations," Redlands Principal Stephen Webber said.
The program had planned to have all year 9 students physically travel to the Northern Territory, but coronavirus changed this. Supplied
"If Australia is going to move forward together, our young people must be knowledgeable of the achievements, values and beliefs of the world's oldest continuing civilization."
The program had planned to have all year 9 students physically travel to the Northern Territory for the exchange before the COVID-19 pandemic intervened, forcing the two communities to come together online.
The lessons were supported by members of Sydney's Gadigal and Dharug communities who appeared on campus with workshops in Indigenous cooking, artwork and dance.
The lessons were supported by members of Sydney's Gadigal and Dharug communities. Supplied
"Taking this experience to a virtual platform hopefully provides an opportunity to significantly expand its reach to more schools in the future," Mr Webber explained.
The virtual elements of the program overcome the significant impost of the cost of travel for students moving into the future.
"We are hoping this inaugural virtual cultural immersion could provide a blueprint for future success for Culture College and our partnering communities," Culture College CEO Justin Porter said.
"More schools can be part of this journey."
The program is hoping to expand in the coming year.
They appeared on-campus with workshops in Indigenous cooking, artwork and dance. Supplied
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