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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Aboriginal mural for Umina

 

Umina Public School has a new Aboriginal mural in its foyer as a result of Federal Government education funding to support Aboriginal students.

The mural was painted by Toowoon Bay based artist Michael Young and has been titled Soar High as an Aboriginal representation of the school motto.

The school's Aboriginal Education Resource Teacher, Deborah Moxham, describes the mural as "having a soaring eagle which represents the potential of the students of Umina to succeed in life.

"The eagle and four spiritual guardians watch over the school while from the four corners of the earth come the different cultures that enrich the school learning.

"The mural also shows, in traditional representation, the schools' Koori students.

"The mural is vibrant in colour and energy and is much admired by the school," she said.

Michael Young, 40, only discovered his artistic skills 18 months ago after having attended a TAFE course on Aboriginal Art and Culture.

"I've never been creative, having grown up in a family that lived in Erskineville doing strongly male-oriented trades and not even recognising our Aboriginality", he said.

"Now I want to explore my past and plan to spend five years living in the outback, following up my family roots and developing my art."

The school has 30 Aboriginal students and this entitles it to receive Federal Government funding to support these students and their relationship within the school community.

Funding is provided under the Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness (ASSPA) program through the Indigenous Education Unit of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.

There are over 500 students supported by this program throughout the Central Coast, over 100 of which are on the Peninsula.

Cec Bucello, August 9