FOR MOB
YOUNG ONES
We connect 15 times a year where the younger students are surrounded by mob, share in cultural practices and have a place where they are safe and thriving. Together we do circle time, listen to First Nations teachings, and do activities like art, dance and games.
“The Meeting Place feels like Home”
TEENS
Are you a First Nations Youth wanting to connect with other Mob? Come learn culture, practice culture, strengthen friendships and build community while staying connected to school.
WANT TO CHAT?
We are always open to hearing what Mob want and need to support our kids to thrive. Please get in touch if you have any questions, ideas, or you just want to have a yarn!
THE NALDERUN CREW
UNCLE RICK NELSON
Senior Djaara Elder
GRACE COFF
Yorta Yorta
AMY FERGUSON
Non-Indigenous / Ally
CHARLIZE WILSON
Mirining & Wiringu
KATI ZBORIL
First Nations Youth
UNCLE RON MURRAY
Wamba Wamba Elder
JEAN McMOHAN
Yorta Yorta
TANISHA MURRAY
First Nations Youth
Here’s just some of our deadly crew that help mentor, support and teach our young mob!
ANDREA DISTEFANO
Italian Heritage / Ally
AUNTY JULIE MCHALE
Palawa Elder
BEN REID
Palawa
STEVE BARTLETT
Roma, Black Gypsy Man, Scandanavian / Ally
AUNTY KATH COFF
Yorta Yorta
JIM REID
Palawa
MAYA COFF
Yorta Yorta
CHASE NORFOLK
Buandig
DALLAS WILSON
Mirining & Wiringu
AL COFF
Yorta Yorta
OUR PROGRAMS
MEETING PLACE
Our flagship and longest running program, The Meeting Place, continues to be held fortnightly during school terms for primary school-aged mob. We currently have 30 children from the 15 primary schools in Mount Alexander Shire, and recently have included primary aged students from Maryborough Education Centre (MEC). Each session has an Indigenous Teaching, Bush foods (healthy snacks and lunch), Circle time, and Indoor and outdoor learning through Indigenous pedagogies. We learn as a Community through Country and honour all who attend.
KULI
Kuli Business (Men’s business) is for those who identify as male of the age of 12 -25, or at secondary school, under the guidance of Uncle Rick Nelson our young men are taught about Culture and Country. Going out to various parts of Country and various Cultural activities which enables them to continue to be aware how strong and deadly they are. This program is in partnership with Castlemaine Secondary College.
ME-MANDOOK GALK BUSH TUCKER & EDUCATION PLACE
Through a successful crowd fund campaign in 2020 we bought back land near Chewton to heal Djandak, watched over by Me-Mandook Galk, Grandmother Tree. It is the site of our new First Nations youth-led Bush Tucker Place, where we sow, grow and sell plants. Our dream is for this place to be an Indigenous Educational hub, to grow our programs and grow our young people.
WARARAK
Wararak is for young First Nations woman and gender diverse young people between the ages of 12 and 25. Meeting fortnightly during the school term, we engage in soul and community building activities on Country, we learn about woman’s business, traditional ceremony, and anything else that interests our beautiful members. We hope this will help ground the youth in our Community and help them feel more connected to each other and our Culture. Our dream is also that our amazing young people learn to become more present, strong and independent adults.
