Journey to Learning

Building cultural awareness through creativity, imagination and fun

The Journey to Learning program aims to provide pre and primary school children and educators a sound knowledge and introduction into Aboriginal art and culture. The program consists of the Culture Box and training that we offer to pre schools and primary schools for their children and educators. The components of the program may be purchased individually or in combination, or tailored into a program that meets the school’s needs.

“After traveling around NSW pre-school centres, we realised that practical tools and guides could be used by educators all over Australia to facilitate learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society and culture. It became evident that many educators did not know what to teach the children in regards to Australian Aboriginal culture. Many simply had no knowledge of the culture and many were apprehensive because they did not know what they could teach the children.”

Graham Toomey | CEO at Gunawirra

Culture Box

The Culture Box was designed to allow educators to confidently include culturally appropriate activities in the classroom. It is developed in consultation and agreement with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elder, Aunty or Uncle that is associated with the school or appropriate community. It contains a range of cultural items for knowledge, connection, healing, pride and fun. The Culture Box includes an activity booklet that is designed to encourage children to work together and develop creativity in their thinking.

1 Training & Activity Booklet
10 Story Blocks
8 Wooden Animal Totem Stencils
2 Aboriginal Message Sticks – (1 painted & 1 unpainted)
2 Aboriginal Boomerangs – (1painted & 1 unpainted)
2 Sets of Clap Sticks – (1 set painted & 1 set unpainted)
1 container of Ochre
2 Dreamtime Stories with 4 colouring pages

Hand made in NSW from recycled materials | $500 (+ GST)

The kit is now being produced by the St Joseph’s Work Shop, a Men’s Shed on the Central Coast of NSW and shipped around the country to educators and children so that they can start learning and connecting to their own culture.

All the kits have been designed by Graham Toomey who is a Wiradjuri and Wongaibon Australian Aboriginal man from Western NSW. The kits are therefore an authentic Australian Aboriginal product which has been designed to be respectful and culturally appropriate.

Journey to Learning

A 2-hour session run during school hours, for children in groups of around 30 children. Educators are welcome to attend and learn how to use the culture box in their own classes. The program is delivered by Gunawirra’s Cultural and Art Director, Graham Toomey. Graham uses childhood imagination to travel back in time and explore:

Dreamtime stories
Traditional tools and how they were used (boomerangs, clap sticks, shield)
Connection and belonging to the land and how Aboriginal people survived and lived on the land
Totems and the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality

The program is developed in consultation and agreement with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elder, Aunty or Uncle that is associated with the school or appropriate community.

$500 (+ GST)

Educator Session

Intended for educators who are unable to attend the Culture Program session, this 30-minute session can be appended before a morning Culture Program session or after an afternoon Culture Program session and is run outside of school hours.

Provides an explanation of the kit and how to use it.

$100 (+ GST)

Cultural Awareness Training

The cultural awareness training is intended for the general public, corporates and businesses who would like to gain knowledge and understanding about Aboriginal Australia and its people.

These two-hour seminars provide knowledge on Aboriginal history, traditional culture, practices and lifestyle, spirituality, art and about Aboriginal people today. These sessions are also an opportunity for participants to ask those sensitive cultural questions that may arise in a work or community environment.

$500 (+ GST)

Donate to the Journey to Learning Program

Journey to Learning

Building cultural awareness through creativity, imagination and fun

Culture Box

Journey to Learning

Educator Session

Cultural Awareness Training

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