Mountains Youth Services Team Inc (MYST)

Koori Club

Koori Club

The Koori Club (Pilot) is a weekly initiative tailored to indigenous primary school students in the Blue Mountains region. Our mission is to foster a deeper understanding and pride in cultural heritage, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes and community integration. At the heart of the program are yarning circles within schools, encouraging respectful dialogue and enriching ...

GOAL

$10,000

Australia > NSW > Metro and Regional
29/07/2024 > 31/12/2024

Field of Interest

  • First Nations communities
  • Health/wellbeing and medical research

Target Population

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  • Young people (6-25)
Mountains Youth Services Team Inc (MYST) Mountains Youth Services Team Inc (MYST)

MYST is a youth mental health charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people aged 12-24 years in the Blue Mountains and beyond. Our mission is to enhance the wellbeing of all young individuals in our community by offering relevant, dynamic, and engaging programs. These initiatives empower young people to develop emotionally, physically, and intellectually, fostering resilience, self-belief, and strong community connections essential for navigating life's challenges.

Operating two Youth Centres in Springwood and Katoomba, we provide safe and inclusive environments where young people can connect and access support as needed. Additionally, our outreach extends to local high schools, where we facilitate personal development programs aimed at improving engagement with their learning and empowering students.

Central to our efforts is the promotion of mental health awareness and wellbeing within the community. Last year, we delivered Teen Mental Health First Aid training to over 880 students and provided 6,956 nutritious breakfasts in local high schools, ensuring students start their day on a positive note to help increase academic outcomes.

We are committed to fostering a Blue Mountains community where all young people have the opportunity to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

Project Summary

The Koori Club (Pilot) is a weekly initiative tailored to indigenous primary school students in the Blue Mountains region. Our mission is to foster a deeper understanding and pride in cultural heritage, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes and community integration.

At the heart of the program are yarning circles within schools, encouraging respectful dialogue and enriching student interactions. Through storytelling and cultural experiences, students gain insight into First Nations knowledge and traditions.

Activities include cultural music sessions, traditional dance workshops, bush tucker workshops, and Aboriginal art collaborations. These hands-on experiences aim to instil appreciation for indigenous heritage and foster community connections.

The program culminates in a community gathering where students showcase their learning, promoting cultural appreciation among the broader community. MYST, with our strong community ties and experienced indigenous Youth Worker/Counsellor, Flinn Donovan, is well placed to lead the program. With established partnerships and support services, MYST is dedicated to ensuring the success of the pilot Koori Club program for future implementation in other schools.

Project Outcomes

The Koori Club (Pilot) endeavours to address the specific needs of indigenous primary school students in the Blue Mountains. The pilot will be run in Springwood Primary School, where there is a significant indigenous student population requiring additional support. Our goal is to foster a deeper understanding and pride in indigenous cultural heritage, nurturing a sense of identity, belonging, and confidence among students while enhancing their academic outcomes. Through a series of engaging activities conducted within the school environment, including the establishment of yarning circle spaces, cultural music sessions, traditional dance workshops, bush tucker workshops, and Aboriginal art collaborations, we aim to provide enriching experiences that promote cultural appreciation, community connections, and holistic learning.

The success of the Koori Club (Pilot) will be measured by the increased cultural awareness and engagement among students, demonstrated by their active participation in program activities and increased engagement with their learning provided through positive feedback received from both students and teachers. Additionally, the establishment of strong community connections, as evidenced by the participation in the culminating community gathering event, will indicate the program's impact in fostering greater understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture within the broader community.

Through ongoing collaboration and tailored support, MYST is committed to achieving meaningful outcomes for indigenous students and fostering a culture of inclusivity and cultural pride within our local community.
Once pilot program is complete we hope to roll the program out to other local Blue Mountains Primary Schools.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $13,500
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Rotary (confirmed) $1,000
Now and Zen Landscaping (confirmed) $2,500
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $10,000
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Salaries for Indigenous Youth Worker to deliver program (20 hours per term) $70 per hr x 3 ten week terms $4,200
Fees for elders, indigenous artist etc to attend sessions x 4 per term @ $200 each $2,400
Resources & art supplies for workshops $1,200
Community event - including delivery & promotion $1,200
Construction of yarning circle & native food garden $4,500

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Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.