Kimberley

In consultation with Looma's community elders and youth, the school community and Health providers, and with support of Derby and Broome's Rural Clinical School Medical Students (Mentors), indigenous photographers, songwriters and musicians, several youth/community goal-based projects were developed.

2006 saw a group of girls from Looma pioneer the Bush Paparazzi project. Photography was the ideal creative medium, as it allowed the girls freedom of expression to explore their homeland, tradition and culture through a universal language.

In March 2007, an initial group of young people spent a day workshopping ideas on the banks of the Fitzroy River. The young people of Looma discussed with the elders, TBD staff and Kimberley mentors what is important to them and what they would like to see done. From these workshops the following two projects were born:

Songs from Looma: To aid literacy though the development of storytelling and song writing focusing on affirmative recognition of young individuals and their position within the culture of Looma. The aim of the recording and promotion of the songs was to encourage a sense of pride and increased self-belief to the young people and community members.

Click here to listen to a sample of the songs from Looma:

"Freshwater Girls"

"Looma Kids are Rockin' It"

My Country film documentary: To maintain grounding and awareness of their cultural roots through identifying positive associations with these traditions. Looma youth developed the documentary with guidance from elders, community members, mentors, TBD staff and film professionals.

So far in 2008 TBD has made two visits to Looma.

In June, mentors from the Derby and Broome's Rural Clinical School accompanied TBD staff spending just under a week workshopping ideas and going thru the basics of goal setting with the kids. 

The community was incredibly welcoming and the Looma Buddies were so keen and were just itching to get started!  The Looma Buddies literally brimming with enthusiasm came up with some fantastic ideas for TBD activities and projects. Ideas included dreamtime stories and capturing the wisdom and knowledge of their elders in book format.  There was also much interest in artwork to brighten the town and school. Once the ideas started flowing there was no stopping them!  The RCS TBD Mentors were fantastic and with Mentor numbers expected to grow they will return to Looma over the coming 6 months to continue developing project ideas and organising fun activities and healthy eating events.

In July 2008 TBD was lucky enough to be invited to Looma's annual Youth Camp, a four day camping experience on the banks of the Fitzroy River.

The July trip was made possible by the newly established partnership with St Georges College. Thanks to the College's generous financial support, TBD accompanied 7 newly appointed TBD Mentors on the Youth Camp (6 St Georges Students and 1 staff member). Our responsibilities were to organise the camp's afternoon activities.  The action pack schedule included mini Olympics, Survivor style action games and an afternoon of damper and slime!  The bonds developed throughout the camping experience were strong and will help establish the foundations for the mentoring relationships and ongoing group activities that will continue over the next 12 months.