Art, community and connection. Some of the students proudly displaying their paintings at Blue Mountains TAFE, Katoomba. From left to right: Tori Christianson, Leanne Jones, Maree O’Brien and Ginni Christianson.“It’s a big chatfest,” says teacher, Leanne Tobin. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Story and photos by Linda Moon
Artists with an Indigenous heritage are telling their stories and finding a voice through a certificate course in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts at Blue Mountains TAFE.
The offering of a Certificate 2 and 3 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Cultural Arts is empowering ATSI students to connect to their cultural histories. While developing art skills and techniques they convey personal stories that explore the often untold truth of Australia’s past.
People come from as far away as Portland, Kurrajong and Summer Hill to attend Leanne Tobin’s class.
For the students the class offers much more than artistic skills and creative expression. They gain social connection and the ability to talk about their life experiences within an accepting environment. For this art class, the common bond is being descended from Indigenous people and what that brings.
Dharug community artist and cultural educator, Leanne Tobin, works alongside Ilona Bruckard, another Aboriginal Art teacher and together they encourage the students to tell their own personal journeys. “Sometimes they do portraits. It can be emotional. There’s lots of tears,” she shares.
An artwork ‘in progress’ by B Hardy resulting from the course. “Acceptance is healing,” says teacher Leanne Tobin. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Power in authenticity and acceptance
Student, artist and mother, Leanne Jones, values the class as a place where she can be authentic. Jones has Dharug and Wiradjuri ancestry but that fact was kept hidden from her and her sister. She travels all the way from the Hawkesbury to attend the class. “You have to be yourself,” she says. “Everyone in this class has a story. We get to say who we are, why we’re here.”
At school Jones was kicked out of the classroom for questioning a history lesson on the discovery of Australia (by Captain Cook). “I said, ’no, sir, there were already people there’.” She recalls three children from the Stolen Generation at her school. “You could tell,” she says. But, back then, parents didn’t talk about being Aboriginal.
Dinawan Ngarraarry [Emu Hunt] by Indigenous artist and course participant Leanne Jones. Winner of the 2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize (Indigenous art category) (Photo: TAFE NSW)
“It’s a healing class.” – Leanne Tobin
Healing intergenerational trauma through community art
The course is only open to people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. As Tobin explains, this helps ensure participants feel culturally safe. “It’s a place where people can come and not be judged; a safe, cultural space.”
Many in the class have suffered from the impacts of what happened to their ancestors. The heart-wrenching injustices they describe seem inconceivable today but the shadows of those times remain. “There’s a lot of trauma in this class,” Tobin says. “Everyone has got some kind of story. Sometimes they share stuff they haven’t told anyone before. It’s a beautiful thing to see people feeling safe to tell their truth. All their stories form a collective narrative of what happened here on Country.”
The stories shared reflect what Tobin refers to as “first contact times where cultures collided”. Stories of disconnection from family, Country, culture, as well as shaming, suppression and secrecy, are common themes.
Tobin’s classes include a mother and daughter and also a father and daughter team. The course offers an enjoyable and constructive way they can experience intergenerational healing and learn about their family, Tobin says.
Tobin, who has also worked in jails with Koori offenders, says that this disconnection from family, culture and Country is often the underlying cause of Indigenous stress and trauma. Working in jails was frequently about filling in the gaps of questions, such as “why did my mother abandon me?”
“My passion for art comes from the need to tell stories that are untold.” Community artist and cultural educator, Leanne Tobin, at Blue Mountains TAFE, Katoomba. (Photo: Linda Moon)
Yarramundi’s descendent continuing the work
Tobin, a descendent of the Dharug people of Western Sydney, has a fascinating history of her own.
Her mother was born in a terrace house in Harris Street on the banks of the Parramatta River in 1933 where the Albion Hotel now stands. Many Dharug babies were born here because the White Australia Policy (of the time) restricted Aboriginal women from having their babies in hospital.
As a teenager growing up in Emu Plains she didn’t know anything about her family background. Her grandmother had kept their ancestry a secret from her mother.
In adulthood she discovered that her great grandfather x 4, was the distinguished tribal Elder and ‘Karadji’ (medicine man), Yarramundi – after whom the township Yarramundi was named. His daughter was Maria Lock – one of the first stolen generations, being the first enrolment at the Parramatta Native Institution set up by Governor Macquarie in 1814. Maria graduated fully literate and married illiterate convict carpenter Joseph Lock on the 26th January in 1824 at St John’s Church Parramatta in what was to be the first official interracial marriage in Australia. Maria was also a talented student who topped 100 European and 20 Aboriginal students in a state-wide academic test.
Tobin, a practising artist, has also distinguished herself. In 2011, she won the Parliament of NSW Aboriginal Art Prize for her painting Defending Country.
Held once a week for four hours (across two years), the certificate level course is something people can fit into their lives, Tobin says.
The students study and practise painting, printmaking, drawing, digital art, ceramics, sculpture and other visual art techniques. “We often have critique sessions that allow the students to see the various stages of development each artwork goes through and also opens discussion between the students on various techniques, challenges and stories,” she says. Each term a new unit begins exploring various media and also includes learning about various aspects of the cultural art industry, such as copyright and protocols within community.
The cultural component – recognising and identifying culture – is a core focus.
Connecting to Aboriginal culture also switches participants onto Caring for Country, Tobin says. “Everyone who resides on Country, now needs to take on that custodianship. We all need clean air, clean water, clean food.”
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable final Skill Share Saturday for the year yesterday with Qigong, Fashion Upcycling, Seed Saving and Bushcare! We shared seeds from local gardens and harvested carrots, as well as Mizuna, Broad Bean, Daikon and Land Cress seeds from the Planetary Health garden. We then packaged up (and shared) our first Upper Mountains Seed Savers packs for our fledgling Seed Bank. In Bushcare it`s very exciting to see whole new areas of the Planetary Health Precinct open up as we remove invasive weeds. It`s been a year of great progress as we`ve restored habitat for wildlife and given local native plants the opportunity to flourish and re-establish on the site.
Join the Planetary Health Centre this Sat 6 Dec for the last Skill Share Saturday of the year: Qigong at 9am, Seed Saving & Gardening Group at 10am, and Bushcare at 1.30pm. One perfect day with great company, great coffee and food, and great steps for living a healthy balanced life, while also contributing to the health of our planet for present and future generations. All ages welcome!
Registration links in profile and below.
Register for Qigong here: https://bit.ly/48wlHjD Register for Seed Saving & Gardening here: https://bit.ly/4prcRe7 Register for Bushcare here: https://bit.ly/4oAFDrz
We have a rare opportunity to learn about the newest and best possible ways to support family and community members struggling with mental health issues, at a free talk and afternoon tea provided by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 Nov. Hear from Peter Joseph AM, Chair of the Black Dog Institute, and Professor Helen Christensen AO, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and former Executive Director and Chief Scientist at the Black Dog Institute. They`ll be in conversation with journalist Emma Rossi. Dr Christensen is a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
This Saturday Sherlie McMillan from Rotarians 4 Planetary Health will be running a workshop on How to use a sewing machine from 9am at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. Learn how to set up a machine, service it, troubleshoot when it`s not sewing correctly, and learn some basic sewing skills.
Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://events.humanitix.com/how-to-use-your-sewing-machine
NB. This class is a prerequisite for our very popular Fashion Upcycling classes held once a month.
We`re thrilled to announce that Professor Helen Christensen, a pioneer in using the internet to reach young people struggling with depression, will be joining the conversation with Peter Joseph AM from the Black Dog Institute and journalist Emma Rossi at the Planetary Health Centre at 2pm this Saturday 29 November. Helen was the Executive Director and Chief Scientist for the Black Dog Institute for 10 years and has now been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. Her digital mental health interventions are used by millions globally, delivering evidence-based therapy for depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. Her research uses data from smartphones and wearables – like movement, screen use, and sleep – to detect early signs of mental health issues. This free event is being co-hosted by Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Human composting is increasingly being legalised around the world. Read about it in Katoomba Area Local News here (link in profile): https://www.katoombalocalnews.com/legalising-human-composting/
If you’d like to see this option available in NSW you can now sign a live petition to the NSW Parliament here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/43QIHbz
Thanks to everyone who contributed to deliver a fantastic Disaster Risk Awareness Expo and Family Day yesterday. @mark_greenhill_mayor opened the event at which we celebrated the 13th birthday of Betty the Asbestos Education House; @firecoat_au demonstrated and launched its range of fire retardant products that can help protect homes, gardens and even electricity poles; the Bushfire Retrofit Toolkit was launched; Santa arrived and delighted young and old; and @plantinspired99 and Action for Animals fed us all with a delicious plant-based sausage sizzle. The day was filled with talks, workshops, stalls and the sharing of a huge amount of expertise to keep us, and the other species we share our planet with, safe and healthy! @southkatoomba.rfb @nswses @fireandrescuensw @nswrfs @redcrossleura @redcrossau @shelter.building.design @firehalo.au @asbestosawareness @amelie_ecology @bbagsbluemtns @wireswildliferescue @handsheartfeet
Our marquee is up and we`re excited about our Expo and Family Day tomorrow (Sat 22 Nov). There`s something for everyone from a free sausage sizzle, plants from Santa and drumming and pollinator workshops, to sessions on keeping you and our community safe from extreme weather events and hazardous substances like mould and asbestos. Learn how intumescent paints can slow the spread of fire and pick up a sample pot; check out all our emergency service organisations; learn how to dispose of hazardous materials; paint a native orchid, make some seed balls or sew a boomerang bag to give as plastic-free Christmas presents this year; enjoy coffee and locally made sweets; and get tips on how to retrofit your home safely and beautifully to be prepared for future extreme weather events. View the full program and register here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
There are so many new and innovative ways of doing things, like the new cooking techniques being explored by Michael from Good Fat Pastry, and the new fire protection methods being launched at the Planetary Health Centre`s Expo and Family Day on Sat 22 Nov. Check out Michael’s recent presentation at the Food Security Fair in our video here: https://bit.ly/4pnXbIg (link in profile) and come along to taste his delicious carrot cake and pastries at the Expo on Saturday. Check out the program and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
In 2006 Peter Joseph’s son Michael suicided after a 14-year episodic battle with mental illness. Peter is now the Chair of the Black Dog Institute which is working to achieve better outcomes for all those struggling with mental health issues. Journalist Emma Rossi will engage Peter in an intimate and moving conversation about a life of purpose and mental health advocacy. As a Rotary scholar Peter will also reflect on how Rotary helped shape his values and sense of purpose as a young man - and how those early lessons continue to guide his work today. This free event is being hosted by the Upper Blue Mountains Sunrise Rotary Club and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative on Saturday 29 November from 2-4pm at the Planetary Health Centre at 33-39 Acacia St Katoomba. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings essential here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4oOnYxz
Learn about intumescent fire retardant paint and a range of other strategies to prepare for extreme weather events, and to manage hazardous materials, at the upcoming Expo and Family Day at the Planetary Health Centre on Sat 22 Nov. You can register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J We checked out how intumescent paint works in this video.
When temperatures reach a certain point the intumescent paint begins to swell and expand, often up to 50 times its original thickness. It forms a thick, carbonaceous "char" that acts as an insulating barrier. This layer slows the rate at which heat reaches the structural elements and buys valuable time for people to safely exit a building during a fire. It makes the structure safer for firefighters and rescue teams. #intumescentpaint #fireretardant #bushfire @firecoat_au...
Mould, lead paint, asbestos, silica dust from engineered stone bench tops and a wide range of chemicals, are amongst some of the many hazardous substances entering our environment and negatively impacting our health. Asbestos is found in over 3000 products including textured paints, moulded garden pots, brake pads and clutch linings in older cars, floor and ceiling tiles, lino, fibro, roofing, pipes and gutters, hot water systems, backing for switchboards and insulation boards in air-conditioning ducts, insulation, sealants, fillers, caulking and adhesives, gaskets for industrial and lab equipment and more. We’ll have information to take away and Blue Mountains City Council and the Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Consultants Association (AHCA) will be running free workshops on how to identify and manage these hazardous substances at the Planetary Health Centre`s Disaster Risk Awareness Expo in Katoomba on Sat 22 Nov. Find out more and register to attend here (link in profile): https://bit.ly/4nFrY1J
Linda Moon has lived in the upper Blue Mountains since childhood and is a freelance writer for Australian media. A qualified naturopath, permaculture designer, mother and former student of social work, her passion is building local community, gardening, mental, emotional, social, housing and environmental health – all of which are linked!
In Katoomba, a grassroots litter-picking group tackles rubbish before it reaches our water supply. Their story shows how local environmental action, fueled by community connection, can drive meaningful change for planetary health.
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