8 August 2010
Desert2Surf, in conjunction with Global Surf Industries, is planning to head north in September to implement the Surfing Deadly Desert Dreams project. Kids from the remote community of Minyerri will paint surfboards (provided by GSI) and for the first time try out Stand Up Paddling at their nearest – croc-free – billabong! Stand Up Paddling is a great surfing alternative on those calm inland waters. The painted surfboards – with original indigenous designs – will be auctioned in Victoria at a West Coast fundraiser in March/April 2011.
Keep watching this space for the low down on the stand up!
Posted in Events, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
6 August 2010
The very popular Three Bags Full Cafe in Abbotsford recently hosted Desert2Surf’s PhotoVoice Exhibition – Through My Eyes….
Welcome to Country by Colin Hunter from the Wurundjeri Tribe
The exhibition featured a selection of photographs taken by indigenous children from the remote Northern Territory Community of Minyerri. The photographs aimed to convey to the rest of the world what life is like for children living in a remote community. Overwhelmingly the photographs reflected the importance of family in the Minyerri Community and the connection the children have to their country.
An open night, held on Thursday 24 June, was enjoyed by over eighty people who were treated to a beautifully spoken Welcome to Country by Colin Hunter from the Wurundjeri Tribe. They were also treated to some scrumptious ‘indigenous canapés’ designed by Nate and cooked by Kate, Three Bags Full’s chefs extraordinaire. These included Jerusalem artichoke soup, kangaroo with eucalyptus prunes served on baked polenta tarts, barramundi bites served with lemon myrtle salt and balsamic onions with yoghurt and fetta cheese served on wattle seed scones.
The Desert2Surf crew extend special thanks to Adrianne, Nicky, Lisa and Dave for their support on the night and to Coopers and Jez for providing beverages to help celebrate the exhibition. Last but not least a big shout out to Ben, Nathan, Sarah and Diamond from Three Bags Full for being the perfect hosts.
Posted in Events | No Comments »
8 October 2009
After receiving a Connecting Communities Grant from Optus for a PhotoVoice Project, Steph and Sunny put all the plans into place to head to Minyerri before the rains started.
PhotoVoice projects span four continents, assisting refugees, street children, orphans, people affected by HIV/ AIDS and special needs groups by encouraging them to share their story through taking photographs. These photos are then generally exhibited in a variety of mediums as a way to communicate and address serious issues faced by those who are disadvantaged.
‘PhotoVoice involves enabling those who have traditionally been the subject of such work to be the creator – to have control over the rest of the world while simultaneously learning a new skill which can enhance their lives’ (www.photovoice.org.au).
Facilitating a PhotoVoice project in Minyerri provided isolated and disadvantaged indigenous youth with an opportunity to share an insight into what living in Minyerri means to them while leaning a new skill. It was also a way for Desert2Surf to identify any felt needs within the community and address these in our programs.
The project was a huge success and the joy the kids took in taking photos and describing these in scrap books was incredibly moving. The underlying theme in the photos taken was family – the most important thing in the lives of these kids.
A collection of photographs will be exhibited in Melbourne as a way of sharing these stories and to raise funds for Desert2Surf.
Tags: Event, Photovoice
Posted in Events | No Comments »
28 June 2009
The Desert2Surf Team participated in Run Melbourne’s 5km Run/Walk on Sunday 28 June 2009. Twenty-two of us completed the picturesque course in beautiful winter sunshine. It was a fantastic atmosphere and everyone rose to the physical challenge. We especially enjoyed brunch in Richmond afterwards.
Our fundraising effort, coordinated by Everyday Hero, exceeded our expectations and we thank all those friends and family members who so generously supported us. The money raised will go towards our next 2009 Desert2Surf trip when kids from the remote community of Minyerri fly south for some serious surfing on Victoria’s West Coast.
View Larger Map
See us running here
Posted in Events | No Comments »
29 April 2008
*Fundraiser*
‘Road from Minyerri’ Exihibition
The ‘Road from Minyerri’ exhibition held at Lovegrove Vineyard and Winery in April, 2008, was a huge success. The event aimed to:
i) Showcase a range of renowned and emerging artists from the Minyerri Community
ii) Create awareness for the Desert2Surf Initiative
iii) Raise funds for the Desert2Surf Initiative
The exhibition rode a wave of empathy in Victoria with works by artists such as Barney Ellaga, Slim Joshua, Caroline Vincent and Janet Long-Nakamara receiving wide appreciation.
Photographs by Deb Oliver, depicting the richness of the Minyerri Community’s land and people, perfectly complemented the canvases.
As a result, Desert2Surf plans to maintain the strong relationship with Minyerri Community artists.
Sit tight for coming events … we have plenty more hidden in the surf board covers!
Posted in Events | No Comments »
