Good evening, I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land.  I would also like to acknowledge distinguished guests, colleagues, family and friends, particularly my mum and dad and my daughter, Krystal.

I am a Kamilaroi man and my family originate from Walhollow Aboriginal mission which is near Quirindi. I am very proud of my heritage and extremely proud in using my abilities in being able to help fellow Indigenous brothers and sisters.

I would like to share a little piece of myself here with you. I have raised my daughter, Krystal as a sole parent from the age of 6. At the time, I was unemployed for a period of 10 years and I started doing IT as a means of surviving financially. After some time I found I had enough qualifications that enabled me to seek n employment as an IT teacher. I was then head hunted by Lou Davis who was working at Loftus TAFE. When I was informed about eh TAFE teaching rate I was in shock and nearly fell off the chair and graciously accepted the offer. I was then told the offer came with strings – it was teaching IT at a prison. 

I began my teaching career in corrections at Mulawa approximately 13 years ago when I was invited to teach for the Magazine known as ‘Shadow’s Edge’ which was distributed throughout the prisons. At that time I was not sure what to expect. I did however find that all the students in my classroom were very dedicated and enjoyed working on this project that the magazine went on to become a successful accomplishment.

From there I was then introduced by the then ICCLO from Sydney Institute, Nina Walker to teaching at Long Bay  Correctional Complex which was a huge leap for me as it was both challenging and intimidating at the outset. To my surprise, I found the students engaging, committed and interested in their learning. I have taught computing skills to a wide range of students within Long Bay ranging from maximum security to minimum. I have aloes worked very closely with a wide range of education and offender services staff at both Long Bay and Mulawa and have at all times found everyone to be supportive and dedicated to the educational provision of services to inmates.

I recall there was an incident where the students from the Old Silverwater Men’s gaol were turning up for class not only on the day my class was being held but also on additional days. When they were asked they replied they thought the class was on everyday. I have also been asked on many occasions as to why my classes are not running every day.

The thing that inspires me when I am teaching is going out and being a positive role model for people who have come from greatly disadvantaged backgrounds. When I demonstrate an exercise to them and they achieve the results their faces light up like a Christmas tree and this gives me the ultimate buzz.

For me working in prisons is my calling in life – this is my purpose and I immensely enjoy going there each day and teaching these eager loaners who are not only interested but also very grateful.

Once again I humbly accept this prestigious award and thank all my colleagues. I also want to say a very special thank you to my family who have been my rock and support through what has recently been a very challenging illness. Thank you mum, dad and Krystal.

To everyone else in the audience enjoy the night.

TAFE NSW – Ultimo College

July 26 – 30, 2010

Monday 26 July – Friday 30 July

9am  – 5pm                         EORA / Aboriginal Art Exhibition in The Muse 

Monday 26 July 2010 – Flag Raising Ceremony

Grass area in between The Muse & Bldg D (Library, Ground Level)

•  10:15am                               Welcome to Country
• 10:20am                    Yulang Unit – Welcome/NAIDOC speech
• 10:30am                    Raising of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Flags
• 10.45am                     Morning Tea/opening of Aboriginal Art Exhibition – The Muse

Tuesday 27 July 2010

The Square

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm            Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre

 Wednesday 28 July 2010

The Square

• 12:00pm                               Street Warriors – Aboriginal Hip Hop band
• 12:30 – 1:00pm                  Aboriginal Bush tucker – Yaama Dhiyaan Catering

 Thursday 29 July 2010

The Square

• 12:00pm                               Emma Donovan: Indigenous singer and songwriter

 Friday 30 July 2010

The Square

• 12:00pm                               Torres Strait Islander performance

The Yulang Aboriginal Education Training Unit attended the 2010 ‘Connecting Kooris to Careers Youth Job Expo’ held in ANZ Stadium Homebush in June.

 Out of the ten categories available, Sydney Institute TAFE was successful in achieving the:

•  Aboriginal Staff Award – Calvin Hough (Correctional Centre teacher)
• Achievement Award – Shane Lyons (Energy Australia program – Petersham)
• Community Partnership Award – Beyond Consultancy – (Palm Island Community training in Cert IV TAA- Ultimo)

Congratuation to all of the winners and nominees who were all deserving and have achieved outstanding results in 2009.

 Prepare and plan presentations

• Prepare & orally deliver stories for a purpose
• Communicate using emerging technologies
• Access adaptive technology
• Create electronic presentations

  Classes held from  12 O Clock to 3.00pm every Thursday for 10 weeks.

Building I,  Meeting Room, Gymea Campus, The Kingsway, Gymea  

 For more info phone Ann Cribb on 9710 5183 or 0422 416252

or email ann.cribb@tafensw.edu.au

Classes will be held each Tuesday morning

From 9.30am to 12.30am

Room A202, Gymea Campus

To enrol or for more information please call Ann Cribb – Aboriginal Coordinator on 9710 5183.

The partnership between Nura Gili Indigenous Programs – UNSW, TAFE NSW, Sydney Institute’s Yulang Aboriginal EducationTraining Unit and The Traineeship Centre – Ultimo is in its fourth year and is seeing great results. 

 Nura Gili Indigenous programs employ a number of trainees each year and the trainees are placed in different faculties at the University of New South Wales. 

 Once a week the students meet at the Nura Gili Programs Centre to work as a group to complete their TAFE studies. On this study day the students are supported with tutors from the Yulang AETU and once a month a teacher from the Traineeship Centre visits to ensure progress is maintained. 

 The main area studied is Business Administration although over the time students have completed other areas such as Library Services and Child Studies.

 Yulang AETU became involved to compliment UNSW with support for students to increase the retention rates and assist students in completing the TAFE component of their Traineeship.

 Although this partnership started as a trial it is now well cemented and has proven successful as well as supportive of our students.   Knowing that Aboriginal people work better in small groups is a key factor to its success.

 Six trainees have commenced in 2010 and are well on their way to gaining qualifications that will set them on a future career path.

A TAFE Certificate III Children Services course

Start Date: Tuesday 23rd of March

Then every Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm & Wednesday 9.30am-2.30pm

Venue: Alexandria Park Community School

Crn of Park rd & Power Ave

Time: 9.30am -12.30pm

Lunch & child care will be provided

 If you are interested please contact Kowana Welsh or Samantha Knight on 95579122 or alternatively you can call Danny Allende from Randwick Tafe on 0458229569.

 This course is a partnership between TAFE NSW and SDN’S Aboriginal Programs

SDN’s Tracks in learning program is funded by the Australian Government under the Indigenous Children’s Program

TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute, Aboriginal Unit is offering the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.

The course is designed for people who are required by their workplace to develop skills in the delivery of training and assessment programs as well as people wishing to develop skills as a career development opportunity.

Units of competence/cluster subjects include: Learning Environment, Learning Design, Delivery and Facilitation, Assessment and Assessment Validation.

For further information contact:

Danny Allende, Aboriginal Coordinator – Sydney Institute – Randwick campus on

0458 229569 or email danny.allende2@tafensw.edu.au

This course is subject to demand.

Classes will be held each Tuesday morning

From 9.30am to 11.30am

Room AG-25, Building A, Gymea Campus

To enrol or for more information please call Ann Cribb – Aboriginal Coordinator on 9710 5183.