From Henry Lawson High School

The Henry Lawson High viewed Kanyini on the last week of Term 2, it provided our students a wonderful opportunity to understand the experiences of Aboriginal Australia and gave many students and staff their first glimpse, into the complexities of the relationship to land. It took us a long time to find our special guests and arrange for them to attend the film and assembly, but it was certainly worth it.

Guests from Forbes and Cowra travelled to Grenfell, they spoke with passion and care to our students about themselves and their lives. The highlight was probably when Russell Hill did the welcome to country in Wiradjuri. The students and staff commented on the beauty of the sound of the language. We now have a welcome to country as part of each formal assembly, but most importantly, our students understand why.

We have now forged relationships, which we hope will blossom into long term friendships. We needed, and have hopefully found, some support for our students and staff in understanding Aboriginal perspectives in the curriculum.

Thankyou to Shelly and her Yarnup team who conceptualised such a great project.

Suzanne Williams
Principal
The Henry Lawson High School






Taree High Sceening

Hi my name is Michelle and I was born at Broken Hill NSW and I attended the screening of Kanyini at Taree High School on the 31st of March, 2008.

I would like to thank you. I was so moved by the film that I could not introduce myself to anyone. The movie reminded me of my own community, my story, and I was overwhelmed with emotion that I can't explain. I still feel very emotional. Thank you once again.


From Chattham High, Taree

Hi Melanie, what a wonderful visit I have never felt so proud, and the response from the students was just unbelievable, I could see the pride in their faces they are still talking about your visit, our kids need so much more of this contact the teachers were commenting about they had never seen the kids so involved I made a comment "doesn't that tell you something?." Thank you all so much.  Aunty Sue Syron (Teacher - Chattham High School, Taree)

Hey. My name is Tannika and my friend's name is Tenara. My nan is Sue Syron and i am Aboriginal. I had a really good day yestoday thank you for coming to Chatham High. It was great to hear about your past and I watched the movie. It was great but i was nearly crying about some of the bad things that happened. I hope to see u again and thanks again.Bye XXXOOO





Hey. How are you? When the Yarnup team came to the school it was a very touching story  and the movie that we got to see (Kanyini) was excellent and very touching for us all. Most of us cried. Bianca.


Hello. We are part of the yarnup program and we are Makayla and Brianna.We were here when you came to visit Chatham  High School. The movie you had made was very touching. We had tears streaming down our faces...


 Thank you so very much for today. What an amazing experience for us all ....I too was in awe of such a magnificent man (Tjilpi Wara). Your visit is something we will remember with great fondness. The kids were also awestruck and very excited about the visit too and I think the Yarnup group will grow exponentially after today.  Once again, your generosity of spirit in including us in your visit was greatly appreciated. Look forward to seeing you again in the future. Allison and the Yarnup kids.


Loreto, Normanhurst 

I just want to say thank you again for such a wonderful film. It is a wonderful contribution to the healing of Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians, you have given a great gift to us all. Love, Aunty Jenny.


Masada College, St Ives

On Friday 11th of April, after much anticipation and planning, Masada College was fortunate enough to embark on a commemorative journey in remembering the 'Stolen Generations'.

Our school was given the opportunity to watch a screening of the film 'Kanyini' where the Yarnup team and elders of various Indigenous communities attended to share their backgrounds and experiences as a proud, beautiful and culturally enriched people.
Before watching the movie some Masada Students and a member of staff presented a song, mixing the two cultures together through a Hebrew melody of love, outlining the message of the event while being accompanied by a didgeridoo. This was a special moment for us all.

After the screening we were fortunate to hear Wadi sing a beautiful and moving melody honouring his ancestors.

The morning was overall a truly inspirational and very interesting for all the students and staff. We thoroughly enjoyed the performances and movie 'Kanyini' as it gave us all a clearer understanding of the beautiful and unique Indigenous culture. Thank you for the wonderful experience.
 

Cowra High School

We were very happy with our screening today of Kanyini. We had the whole school there from Years 7-12 which would be around 800 students plus a number of visitors and we were suprised at how well the film was received and the behaviour of such a large group - no problems. We have a reasonably large Aboriginal population in Cowra and some of our students had their parents/grandparents/older siblings come to watch. We had about 10-12 elders also present which was great to see, including Isabel Coe who is quite well known in NSW for her work in Aboriginal land rights and social justice issues. Two were quite fearful as the film brought back painful memories - one recalled comforting a mother in despair when her child was taken. One elder thinks that the film should be shown to the whole town! We also had 2 Aboriginal teachers from one of the local primary schools in attendance and they are keen to show Kanyini to their staff and then their students. Our guests, selected students and staff all enjoyed the morning tea together afterwards.  Comments received from students and visitors were very favourable - everyone thinks it is a great film as you can see...

Kanyini is an inspirational film that is a huge awakening for many people throughout Australia. It is told by Bob Randall, an Indigenous Australian who tells the tale of why Indigenous Australians are struggling in our modern world today. It is extremely moving and really touched my heart. It certainly gave me a different outlook on Indigenous Australians and their battle to keep up in an ever changing society.

I thought that Kanyini was a very thought provoking film that brought light to many issues that I never knew existed. It also gave me insight into the struggle that has faced Aboriginals since white settlement. Kanyini also put forward the idea that to help resolve these issues, we have to work, listen and educate one another. While Kanyini dealt with sensitive issues it was enjoyable none the less.
 
It was great that everyone paid attention to what Aboriginal people lost and how many of them are living, particularly in Central Australia. It was good that Bob Randall shared his experience of his loss and the true facts of what was stolen. Not just kids from their parents and family but also their home, spirituality and beliefs.
 
Kanyini was an intense and thoughtprovoking film, made all the more real by 'Uncle Bob's' plight as part of the Stolen Generation. Accompanying the stories were magnificent pictures of the Northern  Territory's wilderness and old footage of traditional Aboriginal people. Kanyini was nothing short of a touching story.
 
Kanyini was really touching - a perfect description of how white Europeans affected and still affect Aboriginals today.
 
Kanyini was very useful and relevant to our Aboriginal Studies HSC Course. Breathtaking scenery and a compelling view of Aboriginal history.
 
Kanyini was so simply spoken and so very touching. Amazing!
 
The film "Kanyini" should be encouraged to be watched in all schools, all over the world to let all people experience what we have today.
 
It was an interesting film and it was great how many people from the local Aboriginal community were also involved in the event today.
 

Loreto Kirribilli

As 'Kanyini' came to an end, the Year 11 Yarnup leaders read statements of reconciliation. The Indigneous guests generously shared their personal stories and thanked the filmmaker Melanie Hogan for the film. The screening concluded with a beautiful traditional song sung by Wadi Wiriyanjara (Yarnup Indigenous Liasion Officer). The impact of this event left many of us yearning for answers.

During lunch, Melanie Hogan.  Raye Newell and Shelley Pedersen were all flooded with questions. Many girls volunteered their time, their support and offered new ideas for ways they could make a difference.

Loreto Kirribilli's participation in the Yarnup program was the culmination of much planning and dedication by Mr Clausen and a committee of girls. Year 11 decorated the foyer with Sorry banners and personal statements of reconciliation. The messages of Yarnup, 'Kanyini' and Uncle Bob's story have continued to influence the school and are being expressed through an integrated Visual Arts and Photography project.

Melanie Hogan's film was a powerful reminder that we must always strive for a better future and to never forget the events which have shaped the past, but endeavour to create a future where all Australians can live in equality and harmony. Bridget Harvey Year 11

Tempe High

  Corinne, one of the Yarnup girls, said many of the students loved the film because they learnt so much about the history of Australia from an Indigenous perspective for the very first time!












Brisbane Waters State College Local Management Group

"The screening of Kanyini was a wonderful evening with a great BBQ with not only the school community but also the greater community all getting an insight into the thinking of great and inspirational people. Kanyini has provided a platform to engage non-Indigenous people to start to comprehend what it is to be an Aboriginal defining the essence in a unique and confronting way. This laid the foundation to better understand the problems faced on a daily basis. By having this inspirational film shown certainly built onto the enthusiasm of the students and teachers to work towards a better and greater place. Yarnup has given the younger generation a chance to be involved in this exciting era of change and a chance to tell their story through the medium of film. I look forward to viewing the final product."

Andy Grauner.
A parent of an Aboriginal student