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of the wheatbelt
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© Community Arts Network WA Ltd. 2009 357-365 Murray Street Perth WA 6000 t 08 9226 2422 f 08 9226 2230 e admin@canwa.com.au www.canwa.com.au
This book is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publisher. Requests and inquiries concerning production and rights should be addressed to Community Arts Network WA Ltd, PO Box 7514, Cloisters Square WA 6850 or admin@canwa.com.au. Every reasonable effort has been made to contact copyright owners of materials reproduced in this publication. The publishers welcome communication from any copyright owner from whom permission was inadvertently not obtained. This project was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. National Library of Australia Cataloguing-In-Publication data: Voices of the Wheatbelt ISBN: 0-9581235-5-1
Foreword The world is changing at a very rapid pace
This is what makes the work of the Community Arts Network Western
as the centre of global power moves to the
Australia (CAN WA) so important. The Voices of the Wheatbelt
Asia Pacific region, the structure of the world
project is an important part of CAN WA’s aim to help communities
economy is found wanting in the face of a
to strengthen the role of culture in sustaining this identity. Most
downturn unprecedented in a lifetime, and
importantly, it is about bringing Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
the extreme weather events associated with
people together in appreciation of the physical and spiritual aspects
climate change become a more frequent
of the landscape, which is their shared heritage and will be the
reality with each passing month.
enduring source of their culture.
At the same time, there is a struggle for
Every individual and organisation involved in this project is to be
identity going on in Australia. There are many
congratulated in helping to offer this opportunity for young people
cultures that now make up our national tapestry, but our nation has
to explore their heritage through the camera lens and to give
become the most urbanised on the face of the Earth. Only twelve per
expression to the way they see themselves in the landscape. The
cent of Australians live in non-urban communities. The vast spaces
personal self-esteem in being able to do this and to be recognised
of our continent are emptier than they ever were before the coming
for it is vital in building understanding and commitment to the future
of the Europeans more than two hundred years ago. This raises the
of their community.
questions of just who the global Australians of the 21st century will be, where will they find their identity, and how will they strengthen
Compiled by Ivy Penny Design by Natalija Brunovs (Seedpod) Printed by Quality Press
Disclaimer
Australia that is significant in both the Aboriginal and European history of our nation. It should be recognised as a considerable
All these forces and questions come into focus in Western Australia’s
triumph in developing community and one important step on the
Wheatbelt as communities struggle to make life interesting,
way towards reconnecting Australians with the landscape that will
challenging and rewarding for their young people–for it is these
sustain them into the future.
Throughout the project over 140 photographers took nearly 26,000 images. In each session, each
young people who will decide through their commitment whether
photographer was assigned a numbered memory card and their photos were carefully stored in their
communities live or die in the longer term. Looking at the landscape
Lieutenant General John Sanderson, AC
through fresh new eyes and a different set of experiences helps us all
Chairman of the Indigenous Implementation Board
to understand how important this challenge is.
of Western Australia
individual folder. Sometimes the photographer became the subject as a friend or classmate spotted a great shot. In these large group situations, it just wasn’t possible to keep track of the camera swapping. For that reason, some of the photos in this book maybe credited to the subject rather than the photographer. Wherever we could, we have tried to credit the images as accurately as possible.
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their resolve to succeed in adversity?
Voices of the Wheatbelt provides a new window on a part of Western
Governor of Western Australia 2000-2005
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Introduction The Voices of the Wheatbelt project is one of the largest community
intimate level. Only they will know how this project impacted in their
arts initiatives that the Community Arts Network of Western Australia
own lives.
has undertaken in its 25 year history.
I have powerful memories of those moments when I felt I learnt
As with many of our projects, Voices started with a few good ideas, a
something and my creativity and contribution was valued and
huge amount of enthusiasm, passion, energy and the conviction that
appreciated. When I worked together with others, when we made
creativity is a powerful force that builds bridges and inspires people.
something exceptional that we could call ‘ours’. I only hope that all the
We embarked on this project with the belief that we could make a
children who felt valued and recognised will carry that positive feeling
difference in the lives of the people of the Wheatbelt.
well into their adult life. I hope that they remember this project, and
Voices of the Wheatbelt created an opportunity for the community to explore and express their sense of place and belonging, to discover
that it may be an incentive to become involved in future community arts projects.
or rediscover relationships with each other, their families, community
Projects like this are critically important for our organisation. It allows
and the environment. More than 200 people from Tammin, Kellerberrin,
us to stay connected to the interface where practice informs theory and
Quairading and Merredin taught us that there is so much untapped
theory informs practice. We had thousands of photos to choose from,
richness in the Wheatbelt. People in the community have so much to
and the small sample in this book is testimony to the communities’ skills,
offer, in particular, the Aboriginal people, custodians of the land. They
the love for their place and the creativity that can be awakened through
generously shared their wisdom, culture, knowledge and values during
the amazing process of community arts practice.
this project.
There are so many people I would like to thank, too many to mention
There are many tangible and intangible outcomes that community
individually here. They are all acknowledged for their contribution at the
projects such as Voices of the Wheatbelt generate. Participants
end of this publication. I must, however, acknowledge each and every
expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn new skills
student and adult who participated in Voices—without your creativity
in photography and communicate their stories. School principals
and generosity this publication would not exist.
and partners shared with us the impact that these workshops had on students’ self esteem, providing the opportunity for students to learn
Pilar Kasat
creatively, succeed and be recognised within the community. What we
Managing Director
might not be able to measure, evaluate or even ever know, is what really
Community Arts Network Western Australia
happens to each individual who participated at a deeper and more 6
L Melissa Macarthy
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The story behind the project Voices of the Wheatbelt evolved from CAN WA’s ongoing
the end of the semester, the students had taken more than 16,000
For all the staff involved, the project required a huge amount of time,
organisations and local shires as well as facilitating positive creative and
commitment to the Eastern Wheatbelt and partnership with the
photos. As the project progressed, song writing and music workshops
energy and commitment. The coordination of workshops, excursions,
community outcomes for the Eastern Wheatbelt region.
Aboriginal community of Kellerberrin.
were incorporated with students writing and recording songs about
transportation, facilitators and safety, culminating in the selection of a
their town and school. The following school term, exhibitions were
handful of images out of the 26,000 captured, has been a mammoth
held at each of the five schools. Students, teachers, parents and
undertaking, made possible by the goodwill of those involved.
A youth arts program that included photography sparked the interest of local young people and provided the basis for CAN WA to develop a broader initiative which included the communities of Merredin, Quairading and Tammin, as well as Kellerberrin. CAN WA could see
participated in the project.
aspects of Wheatbelt life and applying the medium of photography to capture and celebrate the heart of these communities.
NAIDOC week in Quairading, the Badjaling Noongar Cultural Festival
students could come together, explore their place and community
skill development workshops for adults in each of the four towns
and the Wheatbelt Cultural Festival in Northam. The project culminated
while developing creative skills.
with professional photographer, Annette Kent. The workshops were
with the production of this publication, in which every participant is
advertised widely within the community at local telecentres, in the local
represented. An exhibition was hosted at Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle
newspaper and online. The involvement of local groups such as Yok Yurk
as a means to enhance the connections between the city and the
Aboriginal Women’s Association, The Country Women’s Association
Wheatbelt.
South Merredin Primary School and Merredin Senior High School participated in photography excursions and songwriting workshops. Over 16 weeks, CAN WA staff and photographers James Berlyn and
and Njaki-Njaki Cultural Centre encouraged the participation of over 40 non-Indigenous and Indigenous community members.
Since the conclusion of the workshops, an evaluation has been conducted
Vinn Pitcher and Perth songwriters, Djiva (Della Rae Morrison and
the outcomes of the project from the vantage points of the participants,
Jessie Lloyd) facilitated this project.
and Merredin. These workshops focused on the photos that were
program facilitators and the evaluators. The feedback from the project
taken by both the adults and student participants, in particular, photo
has been overwhelmingly positive. The project not only offered the
selection, photo naming and caption writing. The adults and the
opportunity to learn basic photography skills, more importantly it
students came together in these workshops to discuss the photos
allowed for people to come together, to be with others and do things
they had taken and to tell a story about their images. Discussions
together.
of Della Rae Morrison, James Berlyn and Vinn Pitcher. Six classes from the five schools, totaling over 100 students, learnt about the technical and artistic aspects of digital photography, including the elements of design, composition and ways to use light on weekly basis during term studies. They were challenged to complete creative tasks and problemsolving activities using a Canon Coolpix L10 or L11 digital camera. By
were broad on the subject of each photograph. How people who live in the country are represented, the places in which they lived, the environment and the people that live in their community were just some of the stories shared.
CAN WA has made a pledge to support Indigenous cultural development in the region with Voices playing a key role in building relationships with community. The images represent the beginning of a journey to uncover and celebrate the unique magic and beauty of this place, both in the people that live here and the landscape that binds them. As this journey progresses, more stories will be discovered and points of view shared. We warmly invite you to take a look inside…
by Dr. Christopher Sonn from Victoria University. The evaluation examines
Follow up workshops were held in Kellerberrin, Quairading, Tammin
The syllabus for the photography workshops was created with the input
inform local identity. It is about uncovering and rediscovering the unique
significant events in the Wheatbelt, including the Unity Walk during
In the later part of 2008, CAN WA continued the project by facilitating
Kellerberrin District High School, Quairading District High School,
literally give voice to the individual and collective perspectives, that
Following the workshops, the photos appeared in exhibitions at
the opportunity to create a platform where local people and school
Over three school terms in 2008, students from Tammin Primary School,
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local dignitaries were invited to see the work of each student who
The aim of Voices of the Wheatbelt was to bring people together and
Since the completion of the project, we have seen the creation of a camera club in the town of Quairading with over 15 members meeting to take photos on a regular basis. The Voices of the Wheatbelt has forged important connections between CAN WA, local people, relevant
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‘Even though our town is small, there are big things within it...’
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L-R Chaya Cousins; Iesha Stack by James Berlyn (Artist).
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L-R Brendan Groves; Danielle Canova; Colin Harrison; Rani McCarthy.
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‘love of the bush ... animals ... calm ... crickets ... bird noises ... no traffic.’ L-R Barb Greaves; Kevin Humphries; Elena Wong.
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‘We should take the time to stop and appreciate nature. Stop and look at the world all around us. ‘
Previous Page L-R Anne Hawksley; Sharon Heir; Wade Mackintosh; Cameron Davey. L-R Victor Hayden; Lauren Holst (facilitator). 20
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L-R Morgan Wallwork; Erin Garlett; Brenda McIntosh.
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L-R Lisa Mackin; Jodie Pengel; Kristy Colbung; Ethan Cooper.
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Community Arts ‘It breaks down the silence between communities.’ ‘Older and younger people, varying age groups and people new to the community were brought together.’ ‘It’s all about talking about the same thing at the same level...’
L-R Kylie Mackintosh; Faye Christison.
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L-R Shanice Smith; Iesha Stack; Elena Wong.
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L-R Apryl Longford; Brittany Hayes.
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L-R Colin Harrison; Keliesha O’Breza; Marika Hayden; Lauren Holst (facilitator).
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L-R Bridie Luers; Jodie Pengel; Steven Bayley; Meg Natoli.
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L-R Caitlin Phoebe; Carolyn Stokes; Iesha Stack, Courtney Little & Sharon Heir by James Berlyn (artist).
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L-R Eileen Hall; Janet Stokes; Faye Christison; Helen Heinrich.
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‘It’s a dry and hot time of year. ‘
L-R Kylie Mackintosh; Lisa Mackin; Helen Heinrich.
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L-R Curtis Mackin; Zane Jones; Danielle Conova; Jay Costantini.
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L-R Maria Garlett; Tyson Gors; Kyle Dalton; Maddy Hooper.
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‘For country folk who depend on the weather...their faith is a very important part of life.’
L-R Carrie Yarra; Brigitte Shenton; Danita Hayden.
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L-R Alex Brindley-Cavanagh; Bridie Luers; Eileen Hall.
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L-R Tammin Primary School student; Photo of Percy Boundry.
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L-R Joel Hancock; Marika Riley by James Berlyn (Artist); Alex Brindley-Cavanagh; Sharon Heir.
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L-R Joel Hancock; Alex Brindley-Cavanagh by James Berlyn (Artist); Alex Brindley-Cavanagh; Iesha Stack.
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L-R Chrissi Smith; Cortney Dorant; Don Woodock; Christopher Canova.
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Sharing ‘It’s a starting point to bring people together...’ ‘Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal kids had the chance to come together and learn about history, land, bush tucker.’
L-R Joshua Westberg; Mellisa Macarthy; Telariah Boundry.
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L-R Erin Garlett; Neville Kickett; Aubrey Nelson.
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