The Yarning Spring 2020 | Edition #2 Circle Artwork by Chris Edward (2010) Swimmy Creek [Mixed media on Latvian linen 100cm x 145cm Western Sydney University Art Collection Image in Western Red]. Acknowledgement With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in Greater Western Sydney and beyond. Disclaimers The opinions expressed in these (L to R) Daliah Aggrey-Fynn, Trudy Healey, & Kristy Bell. Photography: Sally Tsoutas articles are those of the authors and contributors, and do not Celebrating NAIDOC necessarily reflect those of the Staff, students and community were University or the organization to week at Western invited to take part in events that ran which the authors are affiliated. throughout the week. Statements of fact are believed Sydney University to be true as at the date of Students and staff were invited to test Despite official NAIDOC celebrations publication, and the University their knowledge and have fun while being postponed from 5th July to now accepts no liability for the truth taking part in the annual NAIDOC Week commence on 8th November 2020, or accuracy of such statements. quiz. Join us in congratulating; Western Sydney University continued Aboriginal and Torres Strait to celebrate NAIDOC week and its The student winners 2020 theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Islander readers are warned that • 1st place: Matilda Harry, Master of Be’. Western invited all students, staff the following magazine may Education (Primary) contain images or names of and community members to embrace deceased persons. the true history of Country and First • 2nd place: Anastasia Vickers, Bachelor Nations people’s spiritual and cultural of Advanced Science Publication Enquiries connections that have been strong for • 3rd place: James Duff, Bachelor of Please contact Matilda Harry at thousands of generations. Business/Bachelor of Law [email protected] 1 The staff winners • 1st place: Corrinne Sullivan, Associate Dean (Indigenous Education), School of Social Science • 2nd place: Charlotte Farina, Senior Graphic Designer, Design Team Spring 2020 Spring • 3rd place: Dr Adam Daniel, Casual | Academic, School of Humanities and Communications Arts To find out more about the NAIDOC Week quiz and to hear from the winners please follow: https://www. westernsydney.edu.au/naidoc-quiz Our talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Western Sydney University Sydney Western Islander students and staff competed in | the Western Sydney University Deadly Challenge celebrating their cultures and voices through a range of performances. All staff and students were invited to watch the singing, dancing and slam poetry and the favourite performances The Yarning Circle Yarning The were determined. Congratulations and thank you to all methods of cooking which have been and students were invited to watch the who contributed. After an overwhelming passed down in community and are still film which tells the remarkable story of number of voted the winners are: being used. Indigenous AFL legend Adam Goodes • 1st place- Aunty Kerrie Doyle and explores race, identity and belonging • 2nd place- Jarred Murphy Western promoted the ‘Yarning with the in Australia today. mob’ and ‘What does culture mean to • 3rd place- Talyssa Baker you?’ short films. These showcased First Other events held during NAIDOC week Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Nations students educating all about include Western Sydney University’s Islander staff members introduced the their cultures, identities and a range of Centre for Educational Research held ‘Feed Ya Mob’ cooking segment which Aboriginal English terminologies used in a Black Lives Matter and Education: featured photographic recipes and a community. Pathways to Action Symposium, video which taught us how to cook ‘#Indigenouslivesmatter: Speaking back/ The Indigenous Student Council and Semur chicken and Lemon Myrtle tart for with Social Sciences’ symposium, and Western Life held a free online screening our mobs to share at home. It was a great the inaugural Indigenous Student Council of ‘The Australian Dream’ film. All staff to learn about traditional bush tucker and meeting. MESSAGE FROM THE PRO VICE-CHANCELLOR Welcome to the second edition of The Lives Matter movement, through to Yarning Circle, an important initiative that our NAIDOC week celebrations, which recognises and celebrates Indigenous for the first time were all conducted excellence at Western Sydney University. online. The ongoing commitment to It is with great pride that I can report the advancing Indigenous education is first edition of this important newsletter outlined in the article on the cultural received an abundance of positive exchange program which all members feedback from students, staff and the of Western’s Executive team completed. broader community. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the incredible This Spring 2020 edition is produced accomplishments of our Indigenous at a time when many members of staff, students and alumni. our community are experiencing a strong sense of isolation and loneliness I would like to take this opportunity Pro Vice Chancellor, Professor Michelle Trudgett. because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It to thank our staff, students, alumni Photography: Sally Tsoutas is heartening to know that The Yarning and community for their dedication Circle can play a small part in keeping to advancing Indigenous success our community connected through at Western. I encourage you to Professor Michelle Trudgett such challenging times. This edition contact Matilda Harry at M.Harry@ (BA, MPS, EdD) includes a range of great stories from westernsydney.edu.au if you have any Pro Vice-Chancellor Aboriginal and Western’s ongoing commitment to ideas or suggestions for articles that Torres Strait Islander Education, social justice issues such as the Black might be included in future editions. Strategy and Consultation 2 Spring 2020 Spring | Western Sydney University Sydney Western | Black Lives Matter Rally. Photography: Western Sydney University Indigenous Academic condolences to the families and friends and staff have signed the pledge. Clearly, Western pledges of the many Indigenous people who have many staff and students at Western share support to the passed whilst in custody. Indigenous a strong commitment to call out racism staff, students and Elders are valued and and actively remedy social injustices. Circle Yarning The Black Lives Matter respected members of our community. We thank them for their ongoing Western Sydney University has also movement contributions and hope that in these curated a new collection of resources for Western students and staff on critical Western Sydney University commits challenging times, and beyond, we come issues underpinning the Australian Black to stand in solidarity with Indigenous together in solidarity and demonstrate Live Matter campaign, including films, Australians and people of colour an ongoing commitment to Indigenous books and academic literature. through supporting the Black Lives Australians and other people of colour who are subjected to racism.” Matter movement. The Black Lives Western Sydney University’s Centre for Matter campaign has sparked Ms Michelle Falconer, Senior Manager of Educational Research also held a Black widespread interest and support in the Equity and Diversity, said it is important Lives Matter and Education: Pathways long-running movement in Australia that universities challenge injustices and to Action Symposium to discuss the and overseas. The protests have been take a stand on the discrimination and implications of the movement on a catalyst for critical conversations harassment facing First Australians. all sectors of Education. This online around racial justice and the need to symposium featured research from address systemic and institutional “Western has a proud history of tackling Higher Education, Initial Teacher racism in all spaces. inequalities and the Australian Black Education, Schools, Early Learning and Lives Matter movement is an historical community education. Professor Michelle Trudgett, Pro Vice- opportunity to catch mainstream attention Chancellor, Aboriginal and Torres and highlight the life and death struggles Furthermore, the School of Strait Islander Education, Strategy and of Indigenous Australians. The Office of Social Sciences also held the Consultation, is proud to belong to an Equity and Diversity is proud to contribute ‘#Indigenouslivesmatter: Speaking back/ institution that actively practices zero to the University’s Black Lives Matter with Social Sciences’ symposium on tolerance of racism. action and to stand side by side with Friday 17th of July. The highly successful event included an opening address “Western Sydney University deeply Professor Michelle Trudgett and her team. by Professor Michelle Trudgett, Pro- values and respects the cultural diversity We are very grateful for the opportunity Vice Chancellor Aboriginal and Torres of all students and staff. Through the and the support shown by Western’s Strait Islander Education, Strategy sharing of culture, stories and knowledge students and staff,” said Ms Falconer. and Consultation. The presenters were we continue to learn from one another. Professor Michelle Trudgett, the School of Social Sciences Indigenous