We invite you to connect with Culture is Life's Aboriginal Educators during a 3-part Talking About webinar series in the lead up to Reconciliation Week, May 2021.

Culture is Life's Aboriginal Educators and curriculum writers will be speaking on the key themes in The Australian Dream Education Resources; Cultural Identity, History & Truths, Racism, Resilience & Reconciliation.

This is a safe and open space to learn and discuss how you can positively influence change as an educator in your personal life, school and community and explore the 2021 Reconciliation Week theme; not just a word. Reconciliation takes action.

Dates:
Webinar 1: Cultural Identity - 4th May, 3:30 - 4:30pm AEST
Webinar 2: History & Truths - 11th May, 3:30 - 4:30pm AEST
Webinar 3: Resilience & Reconciliation - 18th May, 3:30 - 4:30pm AEST

Meet your presenters

Belinda Duarte is a Wotjobaluk, Dja Dja Wurrung descendant with Polish and Celtic heritage. She is the CEO of the Aboriginal-led non-for-profit, Culture is Life and holds a range of appointed and voluntary positions including Director of Western Bulldogs, Deputy Chair Responsible Gambling Victoria, MCG trustee, member of the Victorian Premier’s Jobs and Investment Panel and board member of the AnnaMilla Foundation.

Belinda is a former school teacher and co-developed The Australian Dream and Archie Roach Stolen Generations Educational Resources with Culture is Life's Aboriginal Educators. She aspires for all people to learn the true ancestral story of this country, and to be proud of the advocacy, the determination, the survival, the practices, and the intelligence of our First People.

Thara Brown is a proud Bangerang/Yorta Yorta woman, living on Wurundjeri Country. A proud descendant of her Aboriginal /Irish mother, from Yorta Yorta Country in Barmah Victoria, and her child migrant father from Malta, Thara's family’s stories and experiences drive her passions, hoping to positively impact through her work in education, wellbeing, dance, movement and community.

Thara is the Education and Advocacy Manager for Culture is Life, leading Aboriginal led education and impact initiatives including The Australian Dream and Archie Roach Stolen Generations Education Projects. As a former teacher, Thara hopes to deepen Australia’s connection and value of First Nations people, perspectives and knowledge in our educational settings and broader communities for a more informed and safer world for all people.

Shelley Ware is a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirungu woman from South Australia. She is a media presenter, writer for an AFL column for the Koori Mail, a well sought after Master of Ceremonies and a regular keynote presenter to corporations and events. Espousing her perspective on females in sport, AFLM and AFLW, Aboriginal issues, childhood education and her own journey. She was named the 2019 Fujitsu General Football Woman of the Year.

Shelley is also an experienced teacher, and co-curriculum writer of The Australian Dream and Archie Roach Stolen Generations Education Resources for Culture is Life. Specialising in literacy programs for primary school children, both publicly and privately, Shelley is currently an Aboriginal education officer at Parade College, in Melbourne. Shelley loves to give back to the community through her passion for helping children be the best they can.

Brady Cooper is a proud Yorta Yorta man born and raised in Kyabram Victoria. Brady is an experienced teacher and is particularly passionate about working with Indigenous youth having previously taught at Melbourne Indigenous Transition School and mentoring at the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), Richmond Football Club.

Brady is currently the REAL Healthy Program Lead at KGI, delivering health-based initiatives across Melbourne, Mildura and Albury/Wodonga.

Brady contributed to The Australian Dream and Archie Roach Stolen Generations Education Resources and is designing and delivering professional development for teachers for Culture is Life. He aspires to develop awareness and competence for teachers to effectively and safely teach Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum.

This webinar series will be held on Zoom, connection details will be emailed after registration. To receive a link to the recording after the webinar, please register (even if you can’t attend live).