Initiatives of Change Australia ( IofCA) and the Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place are proud to present a yarning circle with a weaving and co-creating workshop.
The yarning circle will be led by Merilyn Merm Duff, a Trawlwoolway woman from Tasmania living on Wurundjeri Country. Merilyn is a prolific artist and facilitator who has been leading Aboriginal community groups for 35 years. Merilyn, is currently leading the women’s group at Nairm Marr Djambana in Frankston as a consultant. She is also planning to set up a women’s group at the Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place, founded by Uncle Glenn Loughrey and his team.
Participants will be invited into the ‘Wominjeka Garden ‘ where Merilyn will reflect on what healing and reconciliation means in her in post referendum Australia. Participants will be invited to explore intercultural healing inspired by a ‘learning through making’ approach.
Proceeds from the event supports First Nations speakers and First Nations scholarships in the Turruk Community Program at Initiatives of Change Australia.
- Tickets: $40 - $60
- Scholarships for Mob
- This event is for women
About Initiatives of Change Australia( IofCA)
Initiatives of Change is a world-wide movement committed to change-making that starts with personal transformation. In Australia, the movement has supported ‘honest conversations’ with First Nations people since the 1950s. In the past four years, IofCA have been significantly growing the Community Turruk Program led by Sarah Naarden and Uncle Shane Charles.
During this time, they have engaged over 25 First Nations leaders in 82 truth telling events with over 3400 registrations. The program forms part of the IofC International Trustbuilding Program which won an UN Intercultural Innovation Award in 2021.
Whilst multiculturalism encourages different cultural communities to exist independently from one another, intercultural engagement prioritizes reciprocal exchange and respect for all cultures. This alongside Treaty and Global Indigenous Dialogues is a key focus of the Turruk program in 2024.
About Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place
Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place provides a safe and secure place for First Peoples in the inner east part of Melbourne to meet and enjoy each other’s company. Some events are held for mob only and other events bring together both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the local community. The gathering space founded by Uncle Glenn Loughrey and his team includes the Wominjeka Indigenous Garden, which has been created by converting an old tennis court. It also comprises of the Murnong Gallery, an Indigenous owned and operated art gallery.