ERC Indigenous Programs

ERC Indigenous Programs - Let'sTalk Immersion Programs

ERC's "Let's Talk" cross-cultural immersion programs within Indigenous communities in rural NSW are based on a philosophy of experiential learning and critical social analysis.

Through grass roots experience groups build relationships and are energised to take an active, creative role in shaping a peaceful and cohesive society now and in the future.

ERC Indigenous Education Officer: Cassandra Gibbs

A Gamilaraay woman from Goodooga, in north-western New South Wales, Cassandra commenced working with the Edmund Rice Centre as the Indigenous Education Officer in 1999.

In this role Cassandra coordinates the Centre's immersion, Indigenous education and reconciliation programs which explore Aboriginal culture through relationships and dialogue. She has developed phenomenal skills in building and facilitating inter-cultural dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Cassandra is also a gifted artist, having been called on to paint the central thematic piece of artwork for the International Edmund Rice Network Youth Justice Gathering held in Sydney in August 2008.

Let's Talk Immersion Programs in 2012

Join the Edmund Rice Centre for a unique cross cultural learning experience to further develop your knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture and issues in rural New South Wales.

The immersions include participating in a number of cultural activities, as well as visits to Aboriginal communities and significant sites across central NSW.

Download the 2012 Let's Talk Programs flyer

Let’s Talk: Dhawunda

The positions for Let’s Talk Dhawunda are targeted positions that are open to teachers and educators from the Armidale Diocese through the Armidale Catholic Schools Office as part of the Smarter Schools National Partnership Literacy and Numeracy.

Let’s Talk: Dhawunda is a five day cross cultural immersion program that visits predominately Aboriginal communities such as Moree, Walgett, Brewarrina, Goodooga and Lightning Ridge as well as the Narran Lakes and the site of the Myall Creek Massacre.

For more information about Let’s Talk: Dhawunda please contact Sharon Cooke on 0427237416 or submit an Expression Of Interest form.

• 1st Semester: 26th to 30th March, 2012
• 2nd Semester: 3rd to 7th September, 2012

Let’s Talk: Brothers and Others

Let’s Talk: Brothers and Others is an exciting new cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities in North West NSW.

The Edmund Rice Centre now offers the opportunity for Christian Brothers and ‘Others’ who have connections to the Edmund Rice Network to participate in our Immersion Programs. So if you are A Christian Brother, a parent of a child who has participated in a previous ERC Immersion, working within the Edmund Rice Ministries or a family member of an employee who works for the Christian Brothers networks we invite you to step out of your comfort zone and be a part of a journey that really is a life changing experience.

26th May to 2nd June 2012

There are limited places available so to avoid disappointment please register your interest early.

Download the Brothers and Others flyer

Let’s Talk: EREA

Let’s Talk: EREA is open to all staff working for Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA). Let’s Talk: EREA is a seven (7) day cross cultural immersion program that visits predominately Aboriginal communities such as Moree, Walgett, Brewarrina, Goodooga and Lightning Ridge as well as the Narra Lakes and the site of the Myall Creek Massacre.

5th to 11th August, 2012

Alternative contact: Brian Garrone ph: 0400982418

Download the Let's Talk: EREA flyer 

Let’s Talk Local

Open to all Year 11 students from all schools, Let’s Talk Local is an eight day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities such as Goodooga, Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett participating in a number of cultural activities and visits to significant sites.

22nd to 29th September, 2012

Further Information and Expressions of Interest

To register your interest or to apply please complete and return the attached Expression of Interest form, 

For further information please contact:-

Cassandra Gibbs Ph: (02)8762-4200 (ERC reception) Ph: (02)8762-4215 (direct) Email: cassg [at] erc.org.au

or Grace Maguire Ph: (02)8762-4200 (ERC reception) Ph: (02)8762-4204 (direct) Email: gracem [at] erc.org.au

Let's Talk -- past programs

• Let’s Talk Dhawunda: (1st Semester) 21st -25th March, 2011; (2nd Semester) 29th August – 2nd September, 2011
  Open to teachers and educators from Armidale Catholic Schools Office as part of the Smarter Schools National Partnership Literacy Numeracy Program. Let’s Talk Dhawunda is a five day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities across Moree, Myall Creek Massacre site, Walgett, Brewarrina, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge and Narran Lakes.
• Let’s Talk Rural: 10th – 17th April, 2011
  Open to all teachers and educators in all sectors. We also welcome teachers in training as well as people who are ‘teachers’ in non school environments. Let’s Talk Rural is a seven day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities such as Moree, Myall Creek Massacre site, Walgett, Brewarrina, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge and Narran Lakes.
• Let’s Talk EREA: 1st – 8th May, 2011
  Open to all staff working for Edmund Rice Education Australia. Let’s Talk EREA is a seven day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities such as Moree, Myall Creek Massacre site, Walgett, Brewarrina, Goodooga, Lightning Ridge and Narran Lakes.
• Let’s Talk Local: 3rd – 11th July, 2011.
  Open to all Year 10 & 11 students from all schools. Let’s Talk Local is an eight day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities such as Goodooga, Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett participating in a number of cultural activities and visits to significant sites.
• Outback: 24th September – 1st October, 2011
  Open to all students attending Good Samaritan Colleges in Sydney and Wollongong. Outback is a seven day cross cultural immersion program that visits Aboriginal communities such as Goodooga, Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett participating in a number of cultural activities and visits to significant sites.
• Let’s Talk SVDP: 
  Open to Young Vinnies in the St Vincent de Paul network. Let’s Talk SVDP is a seven day program based in the rural Aboriginal community of Goodooga in North West NSW. The program is designed in a way to maximize the opportunity to make a hands on contribution in partnership with the local community.

Let's Talk Rural

The Let's Talk Rural program is run in conjunction with Indigenous communities in rural New South Wales. It is offered to teachers and other professionals to enhance skills in cross-cultural awareness exploring contemporary issues and traditional culture.

Participants visit Indigenous communities and meet local community representatives in diverse fields. A typical Let's Talk Rural trip encompasses a diverse group who offer a wealth of experience to all that we encountered in rural New South Wales. Past participants include primary and secondary teachers, students, social justice advocates, youth workers, teacher-librarians, photojournalists and Edmund Rice Centre staff.

On a typical immersion the journey begins in Sydney and we weave our way over the Blue Mountains and into Wiradjuri country where our first stop is Narromine to visit the Bulgandramine Mission. From there we might head far west to Brewarrina to explore the cultural uniqueness of the 5000 year old fish traps located on the Barwon River, the Brewarrina Mission and the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Museum.

An understanding of the important place of Aboriginal pastoral workers becomes apparent when visiting Mogila Sheep Station in Goodooga. The importance of Language and culture are highlighted during our stay in Walgett where children sing us songs from the Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay language program. Moree adds further educational understanding of many issues and our last stop at the Myall Creek Massacre site culminates an emotion packed week.