This term, Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe (Children’s Ground – Central Australia) held our first cultural camp in Central Australia on the country and birthplace of one of our directors, leaders and professors, MK Turner OAM. Arrernte children, young people, parents and Elders spent three days and nights on their country, visiting important cultural sites, picking bush medicine, hunting for bush foods and exchanging stories – all within an intergenerational learning environment. Many Arrernte staff and families expressed sentiments of improved wellbeing from being on country for an extended period of time, away from the life-stressors of town. On the final night, over 50 young people and adults from the nearby community of Atitjere joined their family on the camp for a big cook up and celebration.
“I just loved every bit of it! I was so happy to be walking on my country again! This is where I used to walk with my parents, and now I am back here passing on the stories to the next generation.” – MK Turner, OAM, Ampe-kenhe Ahelhe Director
“It was such a special weekend. It really felt like going home for me – back to my atyemeye’s (grandfather’s) country. I haven’t been there since I was a little kid. I felt really good to go back there and show some of the children the country for the first time.” – Veronica Turner, Senior Arrernte Educator
12th August 2019