Cultural showcase not just about the music
03 March 2009Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch has congratulated nine Aboriginal students who graduated last week from Tamworth TAFE under a unique arrangement.
Mr Lynch said the nine students completed modules towards a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment during the Tamworth Country Music Festival Cultural Showcase last month.
The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment equips graduates with skills to run professional workshops and training.
Mr Lynch said the Aboriginal graduates were assessed for the qualification as part of the Cultural Showcase.
The workshops included traditional dance, Aboriginal fine arts and performance skills for musicians.
Graduates included Marc Sutherland, Barega Knox, Bareki Knox, Athol Munro, Terry Allen, Roger Knox, Buddy Knox, Mark Atkins and Johnny Knox.
The Certificate IV qualification also allows graduates to work in schools and in the TAFE system.
"A number of graduates have already arranged work with local schools as a result of the program," Mr Lynch said.
"Training and jobs are foundation stones in closing the gap in health and education outcomes," he said.
"This partnership between the Cultural Showcase and TAFE is a great avenue for Aboriginal people to safeguard their culture and gain invaluable training," Mr Lynch said.
The Cultural Showcase is an annual event to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal people to country music.
The event, supported by the NSW Government, includes a range of other expressions of Aboriginal culture including dance, art, traditional tool-making and didgeridoo-making.
"The focus is on building the skills of new and emerging Aboriginal musicians," Mr Lynch said.
He said the partnership would continue next year.
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936
Download more info:
Cultural showcase not just about the music (pdf File)
[ Get a player/reader for this file here ]
