Ngalawi Djardi 'Sit & Yarn' Report

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV Health Retreat

NGALAWI DJARDI ‘SIT & YARN’ Friday 30 November - Monday 3 December 2012

ACON acknowledges the traditional owners of the land we operate on across NSW and remind people we are on Aboriginal land. ACON also acknowledges the Elders and in particular those reading this document.

Author Meggan Grose Aboriginal Project Team Leader For any inquiries about this Evaluation Report please contact: ACON Aboriginal Project 02 9206 2000 Please visit www.acon.org.au/aboriginal to download a copy.

Photographs of participants have been digitally altered for confidentiality purposes. Š Copyright 2013

Contents Recommendations for future Retreats

2

Acknowledgments

2

Background to the Retreat

Aim of the Retreat

Target group

Retreat registrations

3

Budget

4

Overview of the Retreat

Friday Lunch at ACON

Transport to the Retreat

Sunday Night Christmas Dinner

Ngalawi Djardi ‘Sit & Yarn’

Promoting the Retreat

Participant Showbag

5

Body Mind Spirit Culture Planning Method

6

Participant Feedback

Question and Answer evaluation

Pre and Post Retreat Comparison

7

Staff Evaluation

Retreat Facilitator Feedback

Aboriginal Project Team Leader Feedback

10

Conclusion

12

Appendix

Retreat Program

Retreat photos

13

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Recommendations for future retreats 1. Continue to have retreats for Aboriginal people living with HIV 2. Review the participant feedback prior to planning the 2013 retreat program 3. Investigate ways to include more Genesis elements into the retreats.

Acknowledgements Retreat Facilitator Brett Mooney Welcome to Country

Donna Ingram, Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council

ACON Staff Meggan Grose Aboriginal Project Team Leader Sarah Lambert Wellbeing Programs Manager Counseling support, morning meditation and reflection sessions Niki Barr, ACON Social Worker Brent Clifton, A CON Community Health Promotion Officer (SAM Project, HIV & Sexual Health - Gay Men)

Christmas Lunch

ACON Wellbeing Programs

Massage therapy

Kane Puna

Information session facilitators

Jonathon Str eet, Senior Project Officer - Communications, Positive Life NSW

Participant travel assistance

Northern Territory AIDS Council (NTAC)

Venue NSW Academy of Sport and Recreation Special thanks Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of New South Wales for allowing Mathew Fields to attend NSW Aboriginal Sexual Health Worker Network especially the Network Coordinators Robert Monaghan and Peter Patterson

A sincere thank you to all others who helped with the retreat either by promoting it to potential participants or by assisting with organising it.

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Background to the Retreat Aim of the Retreat The aim of the retreat was to increase the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV and to help reduce the impact of HIV on them and their communities.

The strategy for achieving this was to bring together Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV to participate in a range of health promotion activities including group information sessions, free time activities and social support through yarning to each other.

The group sessions included: • A Welcome to Guringai Land by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council • Passing around the Message Stick • Genesis session • Bush foods • Connecting to Culture • Finding Your Community.

Activities included: • Guided meditation every morning • A Christmas dinner on the last night together • Kayaking • Massage • Meditation arts session with Debra Beale • Art activities at night.

This year the retreat was held over World AIDS Day. This was a special day at the retreat with participants taking time out. It was planned to commemorate the day between lunch and afternoon tea but retreat participants took time out and commemorated the day after dinner by lighting candles and setting them up our workshop room.

Every group session and activity was voluntary.

Target group The target group was Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with HIV, regardless of gender or sexuality. Each participant was also invited to bring along a partner, carer or family member as a support person. The support person did not have to be positive, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

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Retreat registrations This year we had a total of 20 retreat applications. This is down on last year when we had 30.

We had 20 applications from people wishing to come to the retreat.

The breakdown of where our applications were coming from:

Applicants

Support Persons

Staff

Sydney Metro

NSW

Northern Territory

10

4

6

17

2

1

Actual people who attended the retreat: 6 Persons living with HIV Sydney Metro 5

3 Support Persons Sydney Metro 3

6 Staff Facilitators 1

NSW 1

ACON staff 4 AH&MRC 1

There is a difference between the number of applicants and the actual number of people attending the retreat. Four people who put in applications did not attend.

Budget Expenses Accomodation and food $7,497 Welcome to Country Donna Ingram $385 Bus to and from venue $600 Retreat facilitator $2500 Bushfood sessions $1500 Massage therapy 8 x $35each $280

Aboriginal designed and

produced notebook sets 15 x $12each $180 Rechargeable candles $120 Birthday cake $40 Art supplies $100 Gifts for participants $25 TOTAL EXPENSES $14,227 Other expenses not listed • Staff wages • ACON car used to transport massage equipment to and from venue • One cab charge given to Ms Donna Ingram This retreat is the monst expensive with marked increases in all costs especially accommodation, Welcome to Country and a doubling in the cost of the bus.

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Overview of the Retreat Friday Lunch at ACON Everyone was invited to come to ACON for lunch before catching the bus together. The purpose of this is to give participants an opportunity to check out ACON and to meet other participants. There is a need for retreat participants to see who else is coming along on retreat and have the opportunity to choose to not come along with us.

Transport to the Retreat Like previous retreats all participants made their way to ACON. The generous support and hard work of the Northern Territory AIDS and HIV Centre (NTAHC) paid for one person to attend. Once participants reached ACON a bus was provided to transport people to the retreat venue and return.

Sunday Night Christmas Dinner A popular event at the 2011 retreat was having dinner together on Sunday night. Again our dinner was a Christmas theme. Sarah Lambert, Mathew Fields and I decorated the dining room table and Paul from Sydney Academy of Sport gave us the good cutlery, plates, glasses and tablecloths to use. All participants were given a small gift of a candle to ‘remember the light within themselves’. It was a lovely meal and a wonderful end to the retreat as it was the first and last time we all sat at the one table sharing a meal and laughs.

Ngalawi Djardi ‘Sit & Yarn’ The retreat was an opportunity for participants to sit and yarn, and this retreat was filled with many times to do just that.

As this retreat included World AIDS Day, we wanted the retreat to be led by our participants. Sessions happened outdoors and some sessions were cancelled.

Promoting the Retreat The retreat was promoted through all Aboriginal Project contacts including: • Direct mail-out to Aboriginal Project mailing lists including community members and HIV and Related Program Unit Managers • the fortnightly Aboriginal Project E-News • on the ACON website and the Aboriginal Project page of the website • through the Aboriginal Sexual Health Worker Network and the coordinators Robert Monaghan and Peter Patterson Participant Showbag Each year we give out a showbag of goodies and information to our participants.

• • • • • • • •

Current Wellbeing Times Aboriginal Project Newsletter Aboriginal Project Safe Sex packs - 1 male & 1 female Top Tips for living Well with HIV booklet Do you use Drugs or Alcohol pamphlet Help to manage your HIV Medications pamphlet ‘Know the Risk’ campaign cards Ahead of Time: A Practical Guide to growing older with HIV booklet.

Facilitators also left items which were put into the showbags.

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Body Mind Spirit Culture Planning Method In order to produce retreats which aim to be culturally recognizable, we use the Body Mind Spirit Culture planning method.

When determining sessions for the retreat, we always aim to have equal numbers of sessions for the body, the mind, the spirit and culture.

Spirit

Body

Retreat Planning

During this retreat we did the following activities for Body/Mind/Spirit/Culture:

Culture

Body • • •

3 hour canoeing session Swimming on Saturday Massage on Saturday and Sunday

Mind • • •

Session from the ACON Genesis weekend Hunting and gathering in the supermarket Finding your community

Spirit • • • •

Commemoration of World AIDS Day Nightly free time Nightly arts activities Free time for yarning and connecting with each other

Culture • • •

Having an Aboriginal facilitator Welcome to Guringai Land by Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Passing around the message stick

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Mind

Participant Feedback Question and Answer Evaluation What was the most valuable part of the retreat?

• Group. Reflecting. Time out.

• Sharing knowledge & experiences. Building trust. Meeting new people. Cultural exchanges. Catching up with friends.

• Peer support.

• Being with other pos mob.

• Group discussion after each session. Information. Developing a community within. Networking.

Community.

• Group discussions on culture, reflections and interactions.

• The sessions. Genesis – how it can be culturally appropriate. Bush tucker food/art session – great learning.

• Meeting old friends and new ones and most importantly reconnecting with my own community from remote/rural isolation.

• Being with other blackfellas and sharing and catching up with friends.

Do you intend to do anything differently as a result of attending this retreat?

Yes? • • • • •

Greater understanding and respect.

More confident about disclosure. Spend time for myself.

Engage with more service providers Try to stay connected with friends more often.

Re-assess and re-focus priorities and more importantly, reconnect and maintain contact with my own gay communities.

No? • No. Am in a good space now.

• Will need to connect with community better, think about what I can contribute.

• It’s been a while since I been back in the ‘scene’ so I’ll go home and mull it over.

Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

• Linking workshops to participants’ needs ie nutrition = medication and side effects.

• DVD player for some appropriate DVD’s. Games workshop. More time for one on one counselling.

There is a need to discuss with each other some personal experiences/issues.

• Workshop on negotiating safe sex practices. Workshop on immune rich food (what to eat to improve immunity).

• KM: More outdoor activities. Background checks on guest speakers.

• Some stuff on mental health, fishing, bushwalking.

• Instead of canoeing – adventure climb, archery, bushwalk.

• More social group interaction and practical application towards living with HIV and living eg cooking/ support group.

• TV!!!

6 of the 9 participants stated in their feedback that they were on HIV treatment.

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Pre and Post Retreat Evaluation Comparison ACON conducts pre and post evaluation with participants over a range of programs. The purpose is to check whether the program has influenced a change in participants over the duration of the program (if any). It is our aim to increase understanding of a range key issues which we are funded to do << This shows a small increase in knowledge, but not too much as the participants pre retreat already had a high level of understanding.

It is good to see the neutral people pre retreat moved into the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;agreeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; column post retreat. The level of nearly 90% post retreat is very pleasing to see as increasing confidence to talk about condoms with a partner was a key need from the 2011 retreat. >>

<< This graph is amazing and pleasing to look at. 50% of participants know how HIV treatments work and 50% strongly agree how they work. This is very pleasing to see especially when there were participants who disagreed/were neutral pre retreat.

This graph nearly mirrors the HIV treatments data except one person who pre retreat may have felt part of a community, now no longer feels part of the community. >>

<< This shows there was an improvement in knowledge around services, with everyone agreeing or strongly agreeing they know about services.

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These two are interesting graphs as it seems that post retreat there was a person who viewed it negatively post retreat than pre. >>

<< This graph shows our participants have strong knowledge around sexual health screening.

Satisfaction of Retreat The majority of participants were highly satisfied with the retreat with everyone rating it a 8 or 9, and gave it a score of 7, 8 or 9 for how valuable it was.

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Staff Evaluation Retreat Facilitator Feedback Brett Mooney Firstly I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land in which I was welcomed to Facilitate the2012 Ngalawi Djardi Sit and Yarn Retreat and thank them for their blessing.

Once again I would like to take this opportunity to thank Meggan and ACON for giving me the privilege to facilitate the 2012 Ngalawi Djardi Sit and Yarn Retreat. This retreat remains a great cultural appropriate initiative for community engagement and an important tool in empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positive people to have more control over their own health outcomes.

The retreat also creates the right atmosphere for participants to be able to focus on themselves, and the information which is being shared.

I would like to congratulate the Guest speakers for demonstrating their skills in adaptation to the environment in which they presented in. It’s these skills which you will be known and remembered for and was great to witness this process with the end outcome being education and awareness SESSION BREAKDOWN Passing around the Message Stick For me making a connection with retreat participants was the most important item to address during the welcome, it was best for me to share my identity and cultural background which gave the other participants an understanding of who I was and what I am connected to culturally.

The Message Stick is a great cultural tool in which its relationship helped to charge the retreat positively, it fueled the retreat with: • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personal Identity • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander spirituality • Use of traditional tools • The importance of understanding how to communicate through traditional tools • The responsibility and protocols • Creation and the up keep of culture being utilized to ensure that these practices are passed on.

Guided Meditation I encourage this session to always be a part of the retreat in an accompaniment with a counselor. Having the time to be still and focused gave participants time to look inside themselves unpack issues which may be confronting for some and to appreciate the good things which has happen in their life.

Some participants have used other mechanisms to deal with negative impacts in their lives which they will not have access to during the retreat, Having a councilor present would help to introduce different strategies on dealing with negative impacts.

Genesis A great session, very informative without being too heavy, it was also a great introduction to who Brent was and the role he plays at ACON and the relationship he has with the indigenous project.

This session is best run during the beginning of the day, as I notice that the participants are more interactive with guest presenters during this time.

Hunting and gathering in the supermarket A perfect example of cultural inclusion in this session with Nell, the use of traditional knowledge is infused with an understating of the healing properties and nutritional value of bush tucker. Great interaction from all.

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It would be good to include a cooking session using traditional food products from Nell’s session and have the participants prepare a meal.

Connecting to Culture I would like to improve this session by having participants provide their own cultural backgrounds and mapping that with the culture which dictates daily life as a gay Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community member.

Exploring the following: • What is my culture • Am I a custodian for this culture • Who do I pass this culture on to • Do I have a cultural responsibility I would like to utilise scenarios where community members have relied on their cultural knowledge for example: • Infused Aboriginal culture with gay culture • Street Knowledge (Street walk).

• Sorry Business (How do we cope with loss).

Commemorating World AIDS Day It was very special to witness as each of the participants had their own reflection on the impact that HIV/ AIDS has had on their own lives. Perfect, the commemoration was done at the speed of the group, which had a very strong spiritual connections representation For people who have not been directly impacted by HIV/AIDS WAD day may be seen as an event. For people who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS, this time of the year can be a highly emotional time.

Not having a system attached to the day gave participants time to have unstructured reflections. Don’t change this.

Art Session Great session and strong spirituality involved with excellent use of native materials which go hand in hand with the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people. It would be good to have a half day for this workshop, as there are 3 sections to the 1 session.

Finding Your Community Great interaction with retreat participants, you presentation high lights the power of speech and how it can be use as a tool to educate, remind and empower its readers and listeners. During this session I feel the participants began to understand the links to story telling for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and The Positive Speakers Bureau.

I think it would be great to create a cultural appropriate program collaborated between ACON and Positive Life NSW which supports capturing information on the following: • Significant Impacts on their lives • Cultural events • The sharing of positive outcomes • Support for our people • Inclusiveness

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Canoeing More, More, More, Cohesion building exercise are the best way to keep your community together. All participants took on a new found energy and group interaction went to a new level.

Very evident that activities like this should be almost daily with the right support given to capture the high of the moment, and to follow through with next session that feeds of the momentum created by participants from sessions like this one.

Reflections of the Retreat Well ended, Perfect. I felt very privileged to be a part of 2012 Ngalawi Djardi and take pride and joy in saying that I was a part of the spiritual and cultural energy which was created at the retreat and kept safe within the body of the Message Stick.

This is an important cultural ceremony which needs to be protected and at the same time shared.

Overall comments on the retreat This is a great community engagement project, and an excellent example of the expertise which ACON project through their service. All of the Guest presenters displayed adaptation qualities which complimented their interaction with the right cultural sensitivity for the participants.

I would like to make a suggestion that the guest speakers also become a part of a working group to support this retreat and attend with full commitment. The investment of cohesion displayed to community members from Service to service provider and from service provider to community can create a high standard of outcomes, which in turn lifts the profile of the Aboriginal Project and ACON. Once again I would like to thank Meggan, the team of guest presenters, ACON and the retreat participants for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this amazing initiative which provides the tools for healthier options for Aboriginal people living with HIV Aboriginal Project Team Leader Feedback Meggan Grose The retreat is a highlight of the Aboriginal Project year. It is my opportunity to bring ACON services, staff and resources to our community in a beautiful space for a few days. This increases opportunities for staff to get to work more closely with our community to increase their skills and it increases our community members’ contact with ACON staff. This year we had an excellent facilitator in Brett Mooney. His compassion and skill in meshing health promotion into a culturally recognisable yarn should be awarded a gold medal. He is one of our treasures who teaches me to be a better team leader.

My overall feedback for the retreat would be: • investigate interesting sessions to provide for participants • keep in touch with participants regularly after the retreat • think about ways in increase culturally recognisable activities.

Conclusion The Retreat is an opportunity for Aboriginal people living with HIV and their partner/friend/family member to come along and get the latest information about living well with HIV. It is the stand out activity of the Aboriginal Project year and should continue to be provided based on the participant feedback and emerging trends in HIV.

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Appendix Retreat Program

2012 Aboriginal Health Retreat Program Friday 30th November - Monday 3rd December

ACON acknowledges the traditional owners of the land we operate on across NSW and remind people we are on Aboriginal land.

ACON also acknowledges the Elders and in particular those reading this document.

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A Bit About The Sessions

A Bit About The Sessions

Welcome to Guringai Land and Overview of Retreat

Commemorating World AIDS Day

Be welcomed to the land by representative of the local Aboriginal land council. Learn about the land we are meeting on and some of their customs. Retreat Facilitator Brett Mooney will welcome you to the Retreat and give you an overview of the weekend.

December 1 is World AIDS Day. Let’s take some time to commemorate the day and look forward as well.

Living the Best Life

Passing around the Message Stick

We all aim to live the best life we can. Sometimes our circumstances can make this challenging and it seems we live out the negative. Sarah will share the philosophy of recovery, inviting you to share your own life philosophies and how we can shift our perspective so we truly ‘live the best life we can.’

Passing the message stick around the circle, everyone will be invited to introduce themselves and tell the group one thing about themselves.

Free Time

Art Session

Not ready for sleep? In our workshop room there will be card making materials and paints available for participants to use and enjoy during free time. Take home a gift you created for someone special. Why not bring along your musical instruments for a sing along?

An art session with a difference. Start this session with a beautiful mediation with renowned Aboriginal artist Debra Beale before moving in silence to make your very custom made jewellery pieces and a group canvas.

Guided Meditation

Slipping It On

Wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Join Sarah Lambert in a 30 minute guided meditation for a wonderful quiet start to your day during retreat.

Asking someone to slip on a condom can be a bit daunting and shame, but it doesn’t need to be. Come along to this session run by Scott Packer and join in a fun game yarning about common excuses not to use condoms and how you can respond. This will be done as a group activity.

Genesis In our first session of the Retreat, Brent Clifton will be giving us an overview of the Genesis program, ACON’s weekend workshop program for newly diagnosed gay men.

Join us to yarn about lively positive with a positive identity, understanding HIV and HIV treatments as well as a range of other topics that confront our community. The most powerful part of the Genesis program is coming together in a peer environment and sharing our personal stories. We will start our retreat yarning in this powerful way.

Finding Your Community Jonathon Street from Positive Life NSW will be joining us to yarn about all the great events and activities they have at Positive Life NSW that you can join to meet others.

This includes yarning about Talkabout magazine, Life Mail, The Positive Speakers Bureau, health information resources and their other social & support activities.

Hunting and gathering in the supermarket

Canoeing

Join Nell Turner to learn about bush foods that are readily available in the shops and why we need to include them in our diet. Nell will be yarning about the health benefits of bush foods, yarn about how to grow your own bush foods in your backyard no matter where you are. She will also yarn about keeping your home clean with bush products too! This will be a special session so make sure you come along.

Being on the water is one of our greatest pleasures. Take a moment to enjoy sailing away on the water and connecting with nature in this wonderful activity.

Reflections of the Retreat Pass around the Message Stick one final time and share one thing you will take back home with you from the retreat.

Connecting to Culture Brett Mooney will run this session. Having a strong connection to culture and who you are is key to living well and healthy. How do you connect to your culture? Bring something to share with the group how you connect to culture.

A Bit About ACON Staff Attending The Retreat

A Bit about Session Facilitators

Brett Mooney, Retreat Facilitator

Debra Beale, Aboriginal Artist

My name is Brett Mooney I am a South Sea, Torres Strait Islander, I was born in Mackay and spent time growing up between the mainland and the Torres Straits. I moved to Brisbane in 2002/03 and Studied for a year and a half, during those studies I as approached by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander program with some part time work at the Queensland Aids Council. That lead on to me being employed with the 2Spirits program in Queensland full time. In my spare time I like to catch up with friends and family, maintain culture, go the beach and fishing just to name a few things. My hope for the future is to see our culture survive with our people.

Debra is currently studying my Masters Degree in Aboriginal Studies Wellbeing at Southern Cross University, Lismore. Debra is a Yorta Yorta/Gamilaroi woman with ties to Tasmania/Palaway People. She has been practising art for over 15 years and says “My work is my culture and I incorporate this into contemporary art design. My works reflect the diverse nature of my culture and the importance of being an Aboriginal woman in Australia”.

Nelly T, Bush Foods Enthusiast Hi, I am a Murri woman born on Kalkatungu Country (Mt Isa, NW Qld), currently studying a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology, in addition to working with the University of the Sunshine Coast in the Information Technology Services and running a home business Tjiltjapuna Web Designs. The healing properties of bush foods and growing them is my passion and I look forward to sharing my limited knowledge with you.

Sarah Lambert, Manager Wellbeing Programs Unit ACON Sarah joined ACON five months ago and is excited to be going on her first retreat! She is a trained Occupational Therapist with experience working in mental health, drug and alcohol and youth services. Her passion is people and all that makes us tick. As Manager of the counselling, social work and newly diagnosed priority services she feels privileged to work with dedicated and compassionate staff and clients, servicing the community.

Sarah will be sharing the philosophy of ‘recovery’ and in doing so will encourage others to share their own life philosophies and journeys. She will also lead meditation sessions and will be available as a support person throughout the whole weekend.

Scott Packer, Aboriginal Men’s Health Promotion Project Officer Scott is the Health Promotion Officer at RPA hospital where his role works in partnership with Aboriginal Men. Scott is a Wiradjuri HIV + man who loves life, has a good laugh and has a passion for caring about people and life. He says “my work is my passion, my family is my love, my friends are acquaintances, but my partner is my life”. Scott will be joining us Sunday morning for a yarn about condom use.

Niki Barr, Social Worker, ACON Niki is a Kiwi from Aotearoa and has been involved personally in the drug and alcohol, mental health and social work fields for over 20 years as both a social worker and as a carer. She has been the Team leader of ACON’s Social Work team for 8 years but she is also a private therapist. Niki will be attending the retreat on Friday and Saturday only, and would love to yarn to you about your questions around drugs, alcohol and mental health.

Jonathon Street, Senior Project Officer – Communications, Positive Life NSW Jonathon looks after marketing, communications, promotions and branding for the organisation including the editing and designing the agency’s quarterly publication ‘Talkabout’. Prior to joining Positive Life NSW Jonathon worked as a Senior Designer for the YMCA of Sydney, and a Designer at Traffic Agency and Leuver Design after completing his qualification in Visual Communication at the Design Centre Enmore, a campus of TAFE NSW. Before commencing studies in Visual Communication, Jonathon worked for ACON from 2002 – 2009, starting as the Gay Men’s Education / Community Development Officer at ACON’s Western Sydney Office before moving to the Darlinghurst Office where he held the position of Campaigns Co-ordinator, developing health promotion social marketing campaigns for gay men and lesbians on sexual health, recreational drug use, homophobic street based violence and same sex domestic abuse.

Meggan Grose, Aboriginal Project Team Leader Meggan is an Aboriginal woman who is traditionally from Gulargambone NSW (Weilwan country) was born in Manly NSW (Eora country) and has contemporary connections to Dubbo (Wiradjuri country) and Coffs Harbour (Bundjalung country). Meggan has been at ACON since January 2009 and loves improving programs and services for the mob. At this year’s retreat Meggan will be a support person to everyone at the retreat, so if you need anything just give her a call.

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2012 Aboriginal Health Retreat Program Fri 30 November 2012 7:45am8:30am

Sat 1 December 2012 Guided meditation Sarah Lambert

8:30am9:30am

Guided meditation Sarah Lambert

Genesis Brent Clifton

10:30am11:00am

Slipping It On Scott Packer

Hunting and gathering in the supermarket Nell Turner

Arrive at ACON Head Office for Lunch at ACON ACON Cafe

2:00pm

3:00pm

Bus departs from ACON to Retreat Venue Academy of Sport and Recreation at Narrabeen

4:00pm4:30pm

Settle in

Commemorating World AIDS Day

Canoeing Sydney Academy of Sport

4:30pm

Welcome to Guringai Land & Overview of Retreat Donna Ingram, Metro Land Council Brett Mooney

Art Session Debra Beale

4-6pm Swimming

6:00pm

Passing Around the Message Stick Brett Mooney

Living Your Best Life Sarah Lambert

Dinner Free time Arts activities

Lunch

1:30pm Canoeing Sydney Academy of Sport

4-6pm Swimming

6:30pm7:30pm

Finding your community Jonathon Street

Connecting to Culture Brett Mooney

Afternoon tea

4:30 Afternoon tea

Yarn time

Reflections of the Retreat Brett Mooney, Meggan Grose Christmas Dinner

Dinner Free time Arts activities

Free time

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Breakfast + farewells Bus leaves 9:30 from Retreat Venue to ACON

Morning tea

Lunch

Mon 3 December 2012 Guided meditation Sarah Lambert

Breakfast + announcements

Morning tea

11:00am

8:00pm9:00pm

Sun 2 December 2012

Breakfast + announcements

9:30am

12:30pm1:30pm

2012 Aboriginal Health Retreat Program

Bus arrives ACON

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/ACONhealth

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