(L-R) Rebecca Metcalf (student), Gabs Ndiweni (student), Cassandra Ryder (manager Langford Aboriginal Association), Michael Clark (student) and Daniella Joyce (Health Programs Assistant)
Camera Icon(L-R) Rebecca Metcalf (student), Gabs Ndiweni (student), Cassandra Ryder (manager Langford Aboriginal Association), Michael Clark (student) and Daniella Joyce (Health Programs Assistant) Credit: Supplied/Marie Nirme

Students reach into community

Staff ReporterCanning Gazette

Final-year media students will visit the Aboriginal Association as part of ‘arts-based indigenous service learning,’ a concept born at Queensland’s Griffith University.

According to Film, Television and Screen Arts lecturer Michelle Johnston, it would allow screen arts and journalism students to learn new skills and put existing ones to work, providing products or services indigenous communities could use.

Screen arts students, the association and its clients will collaborate to make an interactive DVD about Beat It! Live Longer, which promotes healthy lifestyle choices to try to combat chronic disease.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The association will distribute the DVD as an educational and promotional tool.

Acting program co-ordinator Daniella Joyce said she hoped it would inform viewers about program activities such as cooking sessions, exercise and yarning, and give them the tools to take these techniques home.

Ms Johnston said the pilot program would teach students cultural awareness, social justice, leadership and civic engagement.

Curtin students will also be working with Nyoongar Radio as part of the unit.

This program follows a recent initiative by Curtin’s physical, speech and occupational therapy students, who are permanently onsite at Langford’s Brookman Primary School.

– The Beat It! Live Longer Community Challenge is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 16 and up.

Call 9451 1424 for details.