STUDENTS and members of the wider Aboriginal community were invited to give their input into how they best learn, with a Big Deadly Yarn Up held at the North Coast TAFE's Taree campus yesterday.
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Hosted by the Aboriginal Learning Circle, the Big Deadly Yarn Up is a project aimed at developing the most effective, culturally appropriate learning programs with the help of community consultation.
As well as getting community feedback, the yarn up also provided entertainment with performances from musician Jaycent Davies and well-known comedians Kevin Kropinyeri and Andrew Saunders.
Kevin Wilson, co-ordinator of engagement and personalised pathways at the Aboriginal Learning Circle, said the yarn up was a "great opportunity to engage with communities."
"It's about the community telling us what they want to learn, how they learn," he said.
"The performances are about listening to some local artists and just having a yarn."
Kevin said the yarn up would help shape new programs to be offered at all levels of education.
"A lot of recent history shows Aboriginal people have been disengaged with the education system at an early age," he said.
"By inviting them in, getting their opinions, we're including them and we're providing learning that meets their needs."
Feedback would help institutions like North Coast TAFE formulate courses to equip people with even more effective job skills, increasing their opportunities of employment, Kevin said.
Indigenous students from St Clare's, Chatham High and Taree High were also invited to give their opinions.
The Taree event was just one in a series of the community collaborations, with Big Deadly Yarn Ups also held further up the North Coast at Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Kingscliff, Lismore and Kempsey.
lachlan.leeming@fairfaxmedia.com.au
