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Reconciliation in focus at Geraldton catch-up

Geoff VivianGeraldton Guardian
Student Makaira Williams.
Camera IconStudent Makaira Williams. Credit: Geoff Vivian

Students, staff, partners and friends flocked to the Aboriginal Learning Centre at Central Regional TAFE’s campus in Geraldton recently for a catch-up.

Aboriginal Student Support co-ordinator Dale Forsyth said the college was observing Reconciliation Week across all campuses and certificate IV community services students were running the event.

College general manager Bill Swetman said the Aboriginal Learning Centre was located right in the middle of the Geraldton campus and designed with indigenous input as a welcoming place.

“The location right in the middle of the campus is fantastic because it draws everybody in,” he said.

“It is also a focus for support services for Aboriginal people: we have an Aboriginal elder-in-residence program and we’ve got mentoring programs for students.”

Mr Forsyth said the building was designed as a “welcoming place” with an atmosphere of “cultural safety”.

“As you know a building’s just a building unless people make it feel welcoming,” he said.

“Having Aboriginal staff housed in here is important and as you can see having Aboriginal artwork and Aboriginal graduates’ names on the wall just adds to all that.”

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