Kimika Urala participants

Twenty local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in years 8 – 10 participated in the KIMIKA URALA Girls’ Youth Development Camp at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre and UNE recently.

The camp followed on from the very successful Boys’ Youth Development Camp held in August this year and drew in participants from high schools in Armidale, Uralla, Walcha and Guyra.

Local female Aboriginal Elders and community representatives worked with Oorala staff to provide an exciting program over the two days including attending short lectures, fitness and training sessions at SportsUNE training facilities, personal growth and cultural awareness sessions, listening to the wisdom of local Aboriginal women speaking on panels and having an overall UNE college experience staying at St Albert’s residential college.

The Director of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre Mr Gregory Davison congratulated the students on their participation and for their outstanding demonstration of the four camp values – Communication, Leadership, Mindfulness and Respect.

The theme of the camp was ‘Who is your role model?’ and the girls invited those women who inspire them along to the formal dinner at Booloominbah to conclude the two days.

Vice Chancellor Professor Annabelle Duncan spoke to the girls about her own experiences as a young woman, raising children and studying, telling them “you can achieve whatever you want to in life.”

“This has been the best camp I have attended ever” said one excited student at the end of the camp.  Another spoke of how much she enjoyed “listening to the Elders and their opinions on life.”

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre is now busy planning an inspiring schedule of events for 2017. View photos of the event here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/unepix/albums/72157675892940970