NAIDOC Week: conversations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Up for a new experience? Come along and have a one-to-one chat about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Celebrate NAIDOC Week at Deakin. Come and chat with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander volunteer on Tuesday 10 July at Deakin Burwood Library. It's a great chance to learn a little more about the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A number of 15-minute time slots are available to chat with our volunteers, one-on-one, between 12.30 and 3pm.

Talk, listen, ask questions, and find out more about the personal journeys of one (or more) of our volunteer Deakin staff, Terry, Tony and Drew (see profiles below), who are proud to share their stories.

This is not only a chance to gain a unique insight into the life and perspectives of another person, but also an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and the stereotypes and assumptions we all hold.

Register now to reserve your 15 minute time slot
Please note, this is an on-campus event for Deakin staff and students.

Volunteers

Tony Armstrong is a proud Barranbinya man from western NSW. He is currently working at AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) as the Program Manager based at Deakin University. Before this, he worked for eight years as a professional AFL player across three clubs and then two years working in an Indigenous welfare role in the AFL.

Terry Mason is from the land of the Awabakal language group. He has worked in many areas of education, curriculum development and access and learning support. He is former Academic Coordinator of the Aboriginal Rural Education Program, currently chair of National Tertiary Education Union A&TSI Policy Committee and former chair of the Board of the Welfare Rights Centre. He has lived experience of the Stolen Generations and is involved in Aboriginal Community activism in the areas of employment strategies and cultural integrity, advocacy, sovereignty, representation and treaties.​

Drew Paten is a proud Gunai/ Kurnai man who has grown up on Wurundjeri country. He is currently studying civil engineering at RMIT and works for AIME as the mentor leader at Deakin University, after graduating the program in 2013.

What is NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. The acronym has since become the name of the week itself.

NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. See all NAIDOC Week events