The Baul, Dulgo, Dunngunn Conference
Celebrate and embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural perspectives into pedagogies for Jarjums with our heads, hearts, and hands.
Hosts | Program | Breakout Sessions | Presenters | What To Bring
Hosted By Phoenix Support for Educators and Our Nangara Community Group
The conference organisers stand in solidarity with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presenters who play an essential role in the Logan community. Together, we support their organisations and recognise the profound impact they have on our journey towards Reconciliation, aiming to empower local educators to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and foster vibrant environments for Jarjums and First Nations families.
Program
Saturday 26th October 2024
Griffith University - Logan Campus
8:30am: Registration
9:00-9:30am: Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony
Welcome to Country which will be followed by a smoking ceremony and dance performance.
9:30-10:30am: Conference Keynote Presentation
Cultural Capabilities with Aunty Robyn Williams and Michaela Williams
10:30-10:50am: Morning Tea
11:00-12:00pm: Breakout Session 1
- Storytelling Connects Us with Aunty Janice Rocca and Michelle Raikuna-Jones from Raindrops of Diversity.
- Seasonal Calendar with Uncle Barry Watson from Barry Watson Consulting.
- Healing Together: Creating Connected Spaces for Jarjums through Intergenerational Trauma Awareness with Louisa Whettam from Ngiyambalgarra Consultancy.
- Yarn and Weave with Bowie Solutions from Bowie Solutions Cultural Content Specialists.
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Connecting Through Songlines: A Creative Yarn with Aunty Faith
12:15-1:00pm: Panel Session
Our presenters will join a panel for an insightful discussion on fostering reciprocal relationships by establishing community connections with Indigenous providers and organisations. Explore strategies to cultivate culturally safe Early Childhood settings and seamlessly integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into your educational philosophy, pedagogies, and practices. Discover how building authentic community connections can significantly advance your journey towards Reconciliation.
1:00-2:00pm: Lunch
2:15-3:15pm: Breakout Session 2
- Storytelling Connects Us with Aunty Janice Rocca and Michelle Raikuna-Jones from Raindrops of Diversity.
- Seasonal Calendar with Uncle Barry Watson from Barry Watson Consulting.
- Healing Together: Creating Connected Spaces for Jarjums through Intergenerational Trauma Awareness with Louisa Whettham from Ngiyambalgarra Consultancy.
- Yarn and Weave with Bowie Solutions from Bowie Solutions Cultural Content Specialists.
-
Connecting Through Songlines: A Creative Yarn with Aunty Faith
3:15-3:30pm: Short Break
3:30-4:30pm: Closing Session – Whole Group
Reflective Pathways for Change: Creating Ways of Being and Doing through Integrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Education Settings
We will hear from two early childhood centres about their transformative journeys of Reconciliation. These stories will inspire us and provide practical insights into how we can foster genuine Reconciliation in our own contexts.
We will then close the day with a collaborative workshop. This will guide us to reflect on how the presentations have strengthened our commitment to embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into our pedagogies. We will transform these insightful learnings into actionable steps, to ensure that we honour and celebrate First Nations culture with our Bauls (heads), Dulgos (hearts), and Dunngunns (hands) in our daily practices.
Breakout Sessions
In addition to the Cultural Capabilities presentation and the Reflection Workshop, each participant will have the opportunity to attend two breakout sessions throughout the day. Upon purchasing tickets, participants will nominate their preferred sessions. Workshop allocations will be determined by the conference hosts (Our Nangara and Phoenix Support for Educators) and provided to attendees during registration at the event.
Exploring Cultural Capabilities: Connecting with Country and Community in South-East Queensland
Presented by Aunty Robyn Williams and Michaela Williams
In this presentation, Aunty Robyn and Michaela will delve into learning about Country, the Traditional Owner community, and the historical impact of colonisation on people in South-East Queensland. This session aims to offer professional development through exploring a localised ‘hidden history’ that enriches our cultural understanding. Participants will strengthen their ability to work inter-culturally, guided by a community lens, and will be equipped to establish meaningful connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, organisations, events, and initiatives. This workshop is designed to meet the specific needs of your region, school, or students by integrating culturally respectful practices into your educational framework.
Storytelling Connects Us
Presented by Aunty Janice Rocca and Michelle Raikuna-Jones from Raindrops of Diversity
‘Storytelling Connects Us' has been designed to take participants on a journey of discovery using Storytelling as a powerful learning tool connecting to nature, creative ways of being in the moment, sharing knowledge and exploring storytelling pedagogy. During our time together, we will have professional conversations on these concepts by sharing and building a community of learning opportunities with practical play experiences.
Seasonal Calendar
Presented by Uncle Barry Watson from Barry Watson Consultancy
Join Uncle Barry Watson in an immersive session unpacking an Aboriginal seasonal calendar, exploring its cultural significance and practical application in early childhood education. Participants will discover the traditional knowledge embedded in seasonal indicators, learn strategies for integrating this wisdom into curriculums, and engage in interactive discussions to deepen their understanding. This workshop offers educators a unique opportunity to honour Indigenous perspectives, fostering a deeper connection between cultural heritage, knowledge, nature, and children.
Healing Together: Creating Connected Spaces for Jarjums through Intergenerational Trauma Awareness
Presented by Louisa Whettam from Ngiyambalgarra Consultancy
This session will explore how educators can harness the power of their Dulgo (Heart) to create nurturing and connected spaces for Jarjums (children). Through discussions and practical strategies, participants will learn from a cultural lens to support children and their families, promoting healing and resilience through compassionate early childhood pedagogy. We will delve into culturally sensitive approaches to recognise the impacts of trauma on young Indigenous lives, emphasising the importance of cultural continuity and community support in fostering positive outcomes for our youngest generation.
Yarn and Weave
Presented by Bowie Solutions from Bowie Solutions Cultural Content Specialists
Our Yarn and Weave workshop invites participants to immerse themselves in the traditional art of coconut leaf weaving, engage in authentic storytelling, and enjoy yarning sessions that create memorable moments through connecting to culture. Join us in honouring and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Torres Strait Islands through this interactive and educational experience.
Connecting Through Songlines: A Creative Yarn with Aunty Faith
Presented by Aunty Faith Green from Gunya Meta
Join Aunty Faith for a unique and enriching experience to explore the deep connection between Songlines and our personal life stories. In this creative workshop, you'll learn about the significance of Songlines in Aboriginal cultures, share your own stories through yarning, and engage in collaborative exploration. This session offers a supportive environment for reflection and connection, celebrating the richness of cultural traditions while fostering personal growth and community understanding.
Meet Your Presenters
Aunty Robyn Williams
Aunty Robyn Williams is a Mununjali woman from the Yugambeh language group through her father’s ancestral ties. She has ancestral connections to Camooweal, Croydon and Townsville in North Queensland through her mother’s family.
Aunty Robyn is a respected Elder within our Logan Community and is strong advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families across the community. She has worked across many sectors of government throughout the years. Beginning her career as Educator in a Kindy before working for the public service in Canberra for over 12 years. Moving back to Queensland she connected back to her education background and worked for Education as a teacher aide for many years before moving into her current role as a Community/Cultural support worker for Jindi Mibunn based in Eagleby. Aunty Robyn’s passion for community and sharing culture is driven by her experiences working across education and within community organisations.
Michaela Williams
Michaela Williams is a Mununjali woman from the Yugambeh language group through her father and grandfather’s ancestral ties. She has ancestral connections to Camooweal, Croydon and Townsville in North Queensland through her grandmother’s family.
Michaela holds a Bachelor of Education with an early childhood major and has worked across the education sector for over 20 years.
Michaela is passionate about social justice and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young ones to support them to live in two worlds. She sees the need for young people to be strong in their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities as well as being successful in Western education as key to creating successful life outcomes.
Janice Rocca
Company Director at Janice Rocca Consultancy
Currently, I live on Yuggera Country and during my time in starting my consultancy business, I have travelled and worked on many traditional lands around Queensland. I am a proud Wakka Wakka and Kaanju woman. It has been a privilege to work alongside Michelle and together we have created our beautiful framework, Raindrops of Diversity framework. Our respectful framework is based on my Mother’s stories with connection to place and my Father’s work ethics respecting our land and peoples. With sincere thanks to everyone for your support in keeping Raindrops of Diversity legacy alive and sharing into the future.
Michelle Raikuna-Jones
Company Director Kind-e-play Consultancy
I live on Quandamooka Country and it is where I have raised my family. During my time as an educational consultant, I have had the privilege of working alongside Janice, visiting with and supporting those who nurture our next generation of leaders, our children. I am blessed to have worked on many Traditional Lands throughout Queensland, including lands that have significance to Janice and her family. I believe that First Nations Peoples and their Culture is strong, flowing through us all, weaving us together as one.
Uncle Barry Watson
Barry Watson Consulting
Uncle Barry Watson is a descendant of the Wergaia people of Western Victoria and has lived in Logan City since 1979. He is the Elder in Residence at Harris Fields State School and has worked in the early childhood field for many years. He has developed many early childhood resources and produced several children’s books. Uncle Barry provides cultural awareness training to his fellow staff members, funded community partners and other workers across government and non-government organisations.
He is a respected Community Elder and a member of many local action groups. Uncle Barry was formerly CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service in Brisbane and is President of the Indigenous Sports and Recreation Foundation, which provides grants to young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to assist with costs for representative sports such as travel subsidies, registration, coaching fees and equipment. In 2015, Uncle Barry was NAIDOC Elder of the Year for SE Queensland and a nominee for Queensland Australian of the Year Award in the Local Hero category. In 2019 he received a Queensland Day Award for his community work.
Louisa Whettam
Founding Director at Ngiyambalgarra Consultancy
Louisa Whettam is a proud descendant of the Wiradjuri people of Western New South Wales. As a cultural advisor and founding Director of Ngiyambalgarra Consultancy Pty Ltd— meaning 'yarning together in collaboration' in Wiradjuri—she brings extensive experience from her work in child protection and community development, focusing on uniting government and non-government organisations to support pathway referrals for vulnerable families, playing a key role in the Collective Impact initiative in Queensland.
Louisa is a co-author and was the first representative of Australia's First Nations Peoples at the Salzburg Global Leadership Seminar, contributing to research on "Halting the Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Identifying Decisive Interventions in Complex Systems" and is a Salzburg Fellow.
Louisa has lived and worked in Logan for 29 years, and is an active member of Gnirigomindala Karulbo, the First Nations governance group of Logan Together.
Louisa is an artist and storyteller, and has worked collaboratively to diminish the impacts of trauma within the Logan Community, fostering self-determination, connection and meaning within the community.
Bowie Solutions
Bowie Solutions Cultural Content Specialists
Bowie Solutions is passionate about preserving and sharing the rich heritage of the Torres Strait Islander people through innovative cultural content. Based in Brisbane, QLD, we create meaningful connections and lasting memories by sharing the lifestyle elements of food, stories, artforms, and traditions of the Torres Strait Islander community. We also provide content services and NDIS care solutions to enrich participation in life's activities.
Aunty Faith Green
Aunty Faith Green is a proud Waka Waka and Gubbi Gubbi woman with connections to Koa Country on my Father's side. Aunty Faith's journey is all about being committed to, looking after Mob, education and reconciliation. She and her husband Terry, their six Children and 5 grandchildren live and have made Logan community home for the past 39 years. Aunty Faith has worked in Education across a variety of roles for the past 30 years in both private and public sectors such as the Murri School & Woodridge High, and is the CEO of Gunya Meta, a non-profit organisation that focuses on serving the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Logan.
What To Bring
Don't forget to bring the following essentials with you:
- Pens and paper to take down any notes from the fabulous presenters.
- A water bottle to keep you hydrated.
- A cardigan or jumper just in case it gets chilly during the sessions.