Community Cultural Development

An important part of Kurruru’s work has been the establishment and maintenance of strong links with regional Aboriginal communities in South Australia. Working with communities across regional South Australia, including communities in the northern Flinders Ranges, Murray Bridge, Raukkan, Port Augusta, Meningie, Ceduna and Port Lincoln, Kurruru has coordinated workshops and performance opportunities in dance, circus, music, theatre, design and costume-making. Kurruru has also taking part in important regional festivals, including Oyster Fest (Ceduna, 2006), Yarnballa Cultural Festival (Port Augusta, 2008) and Croc Fest (Port Augusta, 2003 – 2007).

Boys Program

In 2007 Kurruru secured funding from the SA Government’s Social Inclusion Initiative to establish a Boys and Young Men’s program, engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys and young men in cultural and artistic activities building on Kurruru’s successful Boyz Kulcha Moves work of 2004 - 2006. Taking a cultural and artistic approach to providing early intervention and exploring the social issues that surround boys and young men’s interaction with the justice system, Kurruru's program provided tools to enhance participants’ social health, sense of self-esteem and self-worth, cultural identity and connection with their families and community.

SAIYWAT

SAIYWAT is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, aged 14 to 27 years, who are associated with Kurruru through participating in our workshops and programs, as well as those interested in making a difference in their community. Young people from both metropolitan and regional communities are involved in SAIYWAT.

SAIYWAT (standing for Solid Aboriginal and Islander Youth Working All Together) Youth Voice, Kurruru’s youth leadership committee, is made up of ten young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in the western suburbs of Adelaide. Meeting regularly, and with a representative sitting on Kurruru’s Board of Management, SAIYWAT Youth Voice plays an important role in providing input directly from young people into the strategic management of Kurruru.