Pictured above: Chantal Oxenham, Service Leader from Department of Human Service with CEO of NAISDA Kim Walker and Chair of NAISDA Sean Gordon .
NAISDA would like to thank the Department of Human Services North NSW Zone for selecting NAISDA to be the recipient of more than $4000, which was raised as a result of fundraising during R.E.A.L Reconciliation Week.
Their fundraising journey began at a leadership meeting in Port Macquarie in February 2016. The idea was to run a series of activities to raise awareness in the lead up to National Reconciliation Week. Some of these activities included:
- A random draw from a variety of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island organisations, nominated by staff, to be the beneficiary of the Zone’s fund-raising efforts
- A raffle featuring Indigenous art that were either purchased from a Men’s Group or donated by staff
- A Quit Smoking campaign to promote better health with several staff quitting to support fund raising
- Embracing our locally developed slogan “Let’s make Reconciliation R.E.A.L – Respect, Equality, Awareness, Learning” to support the National theme and featuring these in a number of office activities including video clips, colouring competitions for local primary schools, displays of Indigenous art and morning teas.
Pictured above: Chair of NAISDA Sean Gordon receiving a check from Chantal Oxenham, Service Leader from Department of Human Service.
They recently shared this article in their Daily News, explaining why NAISDA was lucky enough to be selected as the recipient of their fundraising efforts.
NAISDA is an Organisation that is very Close to my Heart
NAISDA – (National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Academy) the recipient of the fundraising efforts from DHS Reconciliation raffle, is an Indigenous organisation which is close to my heart.
In April of this year my Daughter Jordan, graduated from the dance college with a Diploma in Professional Performance, after completing a 4 year course consisting of Cert II, Cert III and Cert IV, as well as a Certificate in Safe Dance Practices that also enables her to be a dance instructor.
Jordan is the youngest person at the age of 19 to graduate from NAISDA in their 40 year history.
The students at NAISDA train in Ballet, Jazz, Indigenous contemporary, Horton, pilates tumbling,drama,musicality just to name a few. Most importantly they are taught Traditional Cultural Dance, Language, customs and Protocols from Arnhem Land and Torres Straight Island.
In 2015 Jordan toured Australia dancing in Hugh Jackman’s “Broadway to OZ” show, this was her first taste of what it is like to be in the Professional world of dance.
Currently Jordan is in rehearsals with Stalker Theatre Company and will perform 21 shows in 7 days next month at QPAC in Brisbane as part of the Out of the Box Festival, the show is called ‘Creature”.
Jordan will also do some work with the NSW Education Department in August conducting traditional Dance Workshops in Sydney Schools.
Organisations like NAISDA give young Indigenous men and woman an opportunity to pursue a career in the Performing Arts industry as well as staying connected to their Culture.
Thank you very much to Kathy O’Davis Service Officer from Wallsend Service Centre for sharing her daughter Jordan’s amazing journey with us. You must be one very proud Mum.
Jordan, pictured centre, with the rest of the Diploma graduates at this year’s 2015 Graduation Ceremony.