What’s on at Oorala?

The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture, entitled ‘The Challenge for Educational Research: Educating for Creativity and Difference’, will be presented by Mrs Dianne Roberts, OAM, 7:30 pm, Thursday, 12 November 2009, Oorala Aboriginal Centre, University of New England. Please RSVP by Friday, 6 November 2009; Email: events.pr@une.edu.au; Phone: Susan Macarthur 6773 2960.

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre would like to advise official guests, UNE community and local Armidale community that Mrs Dianne Roberts is unable to present the 2009 Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture on Thursday, 15 October, 7:30 pm, at Oorala Aboriginal Centre, University of New England. 

This event will be rescheduled to a later date, to be advised.

TRACKS tertiary preparation program enrolment for 2010 now open. Find out more by visiting the TRACKS website or call Elizabeth on 02 6773 3034.

“Open Day 2009 is on September 4th (Friday) and is a day for prospective students to discover what the University of New England has to offer. Come and learn more about our courses through meeting with the people who teach them. Ask a current student about their experiences with UNE. Discover what UNE really is about. “

For more information go to: http://www.une.edu.au/for/future-students/landing/openday.php or contact Oorala’s Student Support Officer on (02) 6773 5176.

There will be a BBQ for all students at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 from 12.30pm. If you can make it, we would love to see your there.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2009 at UNE, the Oorala Aboriginal Centre has organised a flag raising ceremony, followed by morning tea. The celebrations start at 10:30am on the lawns of Booloominbah, UNE. Go to http://www.une.edu.au/oorala/NAIDOC09.pdf for a full program of the activities.

All Welcome.

Former TRACKS student, Anthony Rummery, has won the Endeavour Cheung Kong Scholarship and will spend 5 months in Xi’an, China, to further his studies.

Here is what Anthony had to say:

“I am a 3rd year Bachelor of Arts student. I have majored in both Chinese and Japanese  for the entirety of my degree, with the desire to become a teacher and develop a business around language education and teaching both in ESL (English as a Second Language) and LOTE (Languages Other Than English), with prospects to translate and interpret as the demand is required.
I have wanted to master the language both as for a profession, and as an interest.  I have wanted to study Mandarin Chinese and Japanese since I was 10 years old, about the same time I started studying Martial Art.  From a global perspective, Asian language – especially Chinese – will be a vital aspect to maintaining and strengthening the Australian economy.  There is so much demand for Chinese language learning in Australia.  Similarly, there has always been a massive demand for Chinese students to learn English, however it has only been recently that Chinese people on the mainland have had the potential to access effective English language learning resources.
I will be going to Xi’an, China in August as part of the Endeavour Cheung Kong Scholarship for around 5 months.  In this time, I will be studying at one of the universities, seeing the many historical sites, representing the UNE, the Oorala Centre and all of its’ students, and immersing myself in the people and the culture at the same time.  I can’t wait!
When I return, I intend to follow up my degree with a Graduate Diploma of Education, which will allow me to put all of my language experience into practice in the classroom, to share what I have learned (future Oorala students get first pick, though!), and continue my language studies.  The only advice I could give to future students is that through conscientious and consistent study, immersing and dedicating yourself to everything that you do, you will make your degree worthwhile and come out a success.”

The next ISP program for year entry to UNE in 2010 (Semester 1) will be held from 18-19th November 2009.
Applications close: 23rd October, 2009. - For more information, visit www.une.edu.au/oorala/isp.htm or contact Oorala’s Student Support Officer on 6773 5176.

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre Support Team will be attending VIBE ALIVE at Coonamble on 27-28th May, 2009.
For more information please contact Tonia or Rebecca on 6773 3034.

NSW Health are offering cadetships for Aboriginal students studying
full-time in Nursing or Midwifery. The program offers:

• Study allowance of $600 per fortnight during your studies
• Employment for 12 weeks full-time in your local hospital
• Support from a Mentor, Clinical Preceptor and Program Coordinator
• Ongoing employment once you have graduated

Closing date: Friday, 8 May 2009

For further information contact:

Lana Shaw, Project Officer
Nursing and Midwifery Office
NSW Health
Ph: 02 9391 9607 or 1800 330 933
Email: aboriginalnursing@doh.health.nsw.gov.au