Yarn for Your Future

Yarn For Your Future

Cessnock Community of Great Public Schools (CCGPS) wishes to invite you to attend a feature event "Yarn For Your Future"

Wednesday 26th October, 9:45am -2:15pm

Cessnock Performing Arts Centre

Join our contingent of strong and inspiring Aboriginal role models for a "yarn" you will remember for a long time to come. Guest speakers, including Les Elvin (Welcome to Country), Karen Jones, Ken Weatherall and Associate Professor Peter O'Mara will reflect on their own proud Aboriginal heritage and how it has defined who they are today. Listen to the stories from these great leaders about their lives and the experiences which have ultimately shaped the individual they have become.

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Mr Les Elvin Aboriginal Artist of the Year (2008)

Mr Elvin was born at Kearsley, a member of the Wonnaruah people, and worked as an electrician in Hunter coalmines until he was 60.

About 12 years before he retired from the coalmines Les Elvin injured his back and was given a set of oil paints that he didn't know how to use.

So he took some art lessons, and a door opened to his creativity and Aboriginality.

He initially painted in a western style, focusing on portraiture, before studying Aboriginal culture. While still doing portraits, he has become better known for Aboriginal works that feature echidna, platypus, turtle, kangaroo and traditional Wonnaruah techniques and symbols.

Les grew up on the banks of the Karuah River behind Port Stephens, where his grandfather, William Jonas, taught him about bush tucker. Les´s paintings feature the ´food chain of the bush tucker´ as he calls it. Paintings of echidna, platypus, turtle, stingray, crab and fish abound but also the kangaroo and that other all important ingredient in bush tucker – fire.

Les has a deep love for his art and is committed to teaching the Wonnaruah style and techniques that are gradually being lost. Associate Professor Peter O'Mara

Associate Professor Peter O'Mara grew up in Paxton, attended Paxton PS and Cessnock High. In October 2009, he was elected President of the Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association He is a Wiradjuri man from central New South Wales and has worked as a general practitioner in an Aboriginal community-controlled health service for nearly ten years.

Like most Indigenous doctors today, Associate Professor O’Mara did not take the conventional road to medicine. He had an established career in the Hunter Valley coal mines before deciding to become a doctor.

Associate Professor O’Mara completed his medical degree from the University of Newcastle in 1999. He became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2003 and obtained his Fellowship in Advanced Rural General Practice/Graduate Diploma in Rural General Practice in 2007.

In 2008, he pursued his other passion; “making good doctors”, and took on the position of Associate Professor of Indigenous medical education and head of the discipline of Indigenous Health at the University of Newcastle, his alma mater.

As AIDA President, he is involved in a number of committees, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Working Group, the Australian Medical Association Taskforce on Indigenous Health, the Committee of Presidents of Medical Colleges Indigenous Health sub- committee (co-chair) and the Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress Council (deputy chair). In 2010, Associate Professor O’Mara was awarded the Deadly Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health’.

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This inaugural event is free of charge and open to all Aboriginal students from years 4-12. Parents are welcome. Participants will enjoy a fully catered lunch provided by Barkuma Neighbourhood Centre.

Don't miss this great opportunity.

To register for this day of sharing and celebration, please complete and return the form below, no later than 21st September.

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My child ______of school ______will be attending the feature event "Yarn For Your Future" to be held on the 26th October at The Cessnock Performing Arts Centre.

Number of parents/guardians attending _____

I will/will not be requiring assistance with transport on the day.

Signed:______Date:______