Aboriginal students from Macquarie Fields High School have had their stories featured in a new book, Blacklight: Ten Years of First Nations Storytelling.
The anthology collection, bringing together creative writing and art produced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from Western Sydney, was edited by award-winning Wiradjuri writer Hannah Donnelly and launched at the recent Sydney Writers’ Festival 2022.
“This was a great opportunity for the creative talents of local students to be showcased to a wider audience at the Sydney Writers’ Festival and beyond,” says Mayor George Greiss.
“Our community is home to a diverse array of backgrounds, each with their own story to tell and this book is a chance to put some of those stories into the public domain and better foster cohesion and understanding in the wider community,” Cr Greiss said.
The book was produced by the Sweatshop Literacy Movement in partnership with Campbelltown City Library as part of the Campbelltown Youth Literacy Initiative for Diverse Writers, and is funded by the Crown Resorts Foundation and Packer Family Foundation.
Blacklight: Ten Years of First Nations Storytelling, is currently available for purchase and is available to borrow at local library branches.
- Pictured above are Macquarie Fields students in a water cleansing ceremony to mark National Sorry Day earlier this year.
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Camden students are in for a treat with two coding clubs being run as after-school library programs.
Code Club gives students the opportunity to create and code simple programs and games, with the Lego Mindstorm session helping 11-15 year olds develop their enthusiasm for STEM skills, by computer coding and creating projects using robots.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Therese Fedeli said the after-school program would offer multiple benefits to local students.
“Council is passionate about giving local young people an opportunity to learn and develop their skills and it is important to do that from a young age,” Cr Fedeli said.
“Our libraries host a variety of programs throughout the year to offer people of all ages the chance to expand their knowledge and this is no different.
“Coding makes it easier for people to create computer software, games, apps and websites and it is amazing that our local young people will have the chance to learn more about this at our libraries.
“I encourage those interested to register now to not miss out.”
The Code Club and Lego Mindstorm will be held at Oran Park Library through Term 3 with registrations now open.
For more information and to register your interest, go to www.libraries.camden.nsw.gov.au
