Celebrating National Reconciliation Week through workshops
News
A series of virtual painting workshops, led by Cultural Support Worker Lalania Tusa and Cultural Capability Advisor Olly Yasso, was a big hit during National Reconciliation Week, with Anglicare staff and aged care residents joining in on the experience
A series of virtual painting workshops, led by our Cultural Support Worker Lalania Tusa and Cultural Capability Advisor Olly Yasso, were a big hit, with staff and aged care residents joining in on the experience.
The workshops gave everyone an opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and symbolism, discuss the importance of reconciliation and gain a deeper understanding of culture.
Residents at Kirami Aged Care Home in Hervey Bay participated in the workshops – discovering their new love of painting. Resident Loris Sanderson said that she had a wonderful morning and that she hasn’t done anything like this before.
Residents of Kirami Aged Care Home in Hervey Bay joined in a virtual painting workshop during National Reconciliation Week 2021
Anglicare Southern Queensland Community Aged and Disability Client Liaison / Team Leader Krissie Miller painted the beautiful centrepiece and said the artwork represents the community room at Kirami and the coming together of the residents in the area.
“For some residents staff discussed the story that they wanted to tell in their painting and then assisted them with finding the correct symbols for each of the stories,” Kirami Diversional Therapist Lorna Smith said.
“Working this way we were able to assist all residents to participate in some way or another.”
Participants walked away with their very own canvas, which they painted using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art symbols to depict a story or event that had personal meaning for themselves and their families.
Some of the braver people even tried eating a live Witchetty Grub!
Historically, witchetty grubs have been a staple for Aboriginal communities, and today is still an important food and nutritious snack for First Nations people.
Witchetty grubs act as a rich source of protein; it has been found that 10 witchetty grubs are sufficient to provide the daily needs of an adult.
Phil and Louise from our Marketing Team both tried a witchetty grub for the first time and they described the flavour as “a nutty flavour, like macadamia nuts.”
A special shout-out to our residents at Kirami Aged Care in Hervey Bay who created a beautiful shared masterpiece.
Residents at Kirami Aged Care in Hervey Bay created a beautiful shared masterpiece at the virtual painting workshop during National Reconciliation Week 2021
You can learn more about the art symbols of our First Nations peoples and see some of the artworks produced by staff on our Facebook page.
First published on the Anglicare SQ website on 4 June 2021.
Jump to next article
