Above: Video makers and
musicians l-r Chris, Amos Urban,
Ricardo Weston, Shane White,
Maxwell Tasman
Nonetheless, there are plenty of young people from the bush who are committed and engaged in learning despite their poor formal education. A recent youth and media workshop held at Hamilton Downs near Alice Springs was part of a research project on learning and literacy development conducted by Dr Inge Kral from the Australian National University (ANU).
The workshop emphasised that young people who have missed out on school are still able to learn and make enormously positive contributions. Young people from Beswick, Lajamanu Yuendumu, Wingellina, Alice Springs and Ti Tree spent four days using computers to tell their stories in video, powerpoints and music, and having that chance to share their experiences with others provided inspiration for many of them.
Maxwell Tasman from Lajamanu has worked with Warlpiri Media for several years and, like many of the young people at the workshop, is well versed in the latest technology. He works on the database set up by NT Libraries to archive community photos.
“We’ve got to learn from the old people but we have to learn how to put it into the database for Warlpiri people and everybody really,” he said.
Above:Mt Theo worker
Azaria Robertson
“I also do video and radio broadcasts with Warlpiri Media.” He thought the workshop was valuable for everyone.
“We can learn from other people. Some people have got the answers for what we are looking for and others look to us for the answers that we got. So we have to come together and show the one big picture and the voices to tell us the way through media,” he said. Shane White, also from Lajamanu, worked with Maxwell on making a video for the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust (WETT).
“I learnt a lot from making the WETT DVD: editing, filming and interviews. I started working with Warlpiri Media three years ago and I also use the database for old photos and stories. It’s important because old people are getting sick and they need to pass on information to us," he said.
Ravonna Urban from Beswick will start making a documentary on her grandfather when she returns to Beswick.
“Iam making a documentary about Victor Hood my grandfather. Hopefully the whole community will see what it’s all about and we’ve been getting some new ideas from here,” Ms Urban said.
Musician Chris from Wingellina uses music recording software Garage Band to record his band’s songs.
“I record with my band using rhythm guitar. I’m a lead singer. We record on to a computer using Garage Band,” he said.
“You don’t really have to know reading and writing for that – you can learn it maybe one week you can pick it up.
Many of the young people at the workshop use their mobiles and the internet for banking but few had easy internet access, although Maxwell said Lajamanu is about to get a better internet connection. Others used the computers in the arts centres and media facilities.
What did emerge is that young Aboriginal people are fully embracing all forms of modern technology to watch videos on the web, download music and videos on their phones, to send texts, record music and stories and keep up to date with the latest sports results. The project was supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation, the Australian research Council, ANU and the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust.
