IERC News
There's always new and exciting things happening at the IERC. Stay up to date with all our news items here.
Whether you are a graduate of James Cook University and landed that perfect job, a current student who has just aced an exam, a proud parent, grandparent or caregiver, a teacher or educator who wants to share how passionate you are about seeing our students strive for excellence, or a community member who is doing wonderful things to bring everyone together to learn and grow with each other, we'd love to hear from you!
Contact ierc@jcu.edu.au to share your story.
In the Media
JCU's Pro Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy, Martin Nakata AM has been featured on ABC's Sunday Extra 'The Year that Made Me'.
Professor Nakata has recently been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his outstanding contribution to Indigenous Education and has just had an asteroid named after himself for his involvement in Indigenous Astronomy education.
Professor Martin Nakata, Pro-Vice Chancellor Indigenous Education and Strategy at James Cook University has been awarded the Member of the Order of Australia (AM). The Order of Australia recognises Australian citizens for outstanding achievements and service.
Professor Nakata was the first Torres Strait Islander to receive a PhD and he is recognised internationally as one of Australia’s leading academics. He is widely published in national and international academic journals, anthologies and books on Indigenous educational matters. His research work in the higher education sector to improve outcomes for Indigenous students spans almost four decades, and he has been invited to and delivered keynote addresses on his ongoing work to professional associations in over twenty countries.
His current ARC-funded study of improvements to Indigenous STEM education in schools will have bearing on the shape of Indigenous STEM education in the future.
This truly inspirational story combines the importance of Indigenous cultural burning practices in maintaining our ecosystem, and the thousands of years of knowledge our Elders hold.
This story, told by Victor Steffensen about Elders Tommy George and George Musgrave is a must watch.
Good News Stories
Yamaji woman and author Charmaine Papertalk Green has been awarded the 2020 Australian Literary Society gold medal for her book of poetry, Nganajungu Yagu.
Covering topics around intergenerational trauma, Nganajungu Yagu was written in response to letters Charmaine's mother wrote to her in the 1970s while growing up in a Perth boarding school.
JCU students, along with the Townsville community recently came together in a peaceful rally to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
With Black Lives Matter protests gripping the USA following the death of African-American George Floyd in police custody, the spotlight has since been brought back to Australia and the number of Indigenous deaths in custody.
Hundreds of people turned out for the Townsville's Black Lives Matter rally at Strand Park, with a number of JCU students showing their support for the campaign. A welcome to country, smoking ceremony and Indigenous led story session were all part of the event.
Check out our JCU students showing their support below.
This week our very own Nursing graduate, Tahnia-Maree Ah Kit, received the video call of a lifetime. Tahnia-Maree, along with two of her colleagues from Gidgee Healing in Mount Isa were honoured by the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Sophie the Countess of Wessex.
Kate and Sophie thanked the nurses for their 'incredible work' on International Nurses' Day.
Tahnia-Maree graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing in 2019, and was also one of the IERC's student ambassadors during her time at JCU. When speaking to the Royals, Tahnia-Maree claims, "We are feeling the love".
Check out our very own superstar in this clip (Tahnia-Maree is shown around the 1.18min mark)
MOUA - Museum of Underwater Art in Townsville are ready for their first residents.
While we begin to emerge from our homes, our famous Queensland sea life is moving into theirs!
Australia.com's first underwater museum is becoming the basis of coral regeneration as the reef grows over the coming months.
It's a good feeling that while we've been inside, our oceans have been continuing to thrive.
If you haven’t heard about it yet CLICK HERE to watch a video about the MOUA.
With many parents and children commencing home-schooling for the first time today, we'd like to share some resources released by the Queensland Government's Department of Education.
These online tools are available to support both students and their parents throughout this new way of learning. We hope you find them valuable.
We'd also like to share some fun STEM related activities provided by the Department of Education. These science based activities are easy to do and fun for the whole family.
Thinking of what to do for your Easter long weekend? With the current restrictions in place, families around the country are doing what Aussies do best – camping…but in a creative way.
Backyard camping has become a family favourite during the school holidays with people finding the positive side of their new normal:
- “It’s a way for the family to continue to enjoy each other’s company while in lockdown”
- “Not sharing the toilet block with 50,000 others like if you’re in a caravan park”
- “It’s still the same sky…just at home”
Check out the full article here
A great idea for anyone wanting to 'get out of the house' while staying at home this Easter long weekend.
A green sea turtle that washed up on a remote central Queensland beach weighing in at an unhealthy 87kg has recently been released back into the ocean - five months and 30kgs heavier.
Yoda was delivered to the Quoin Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre who have rescued and rehabilitated more than 200 turtles within the last nine years.
In a time where people are being forced to isolate themselves from friends and family, one this is helping bring people close together - MUSIC.
Originating in Brisbane in 2017, the social organisation Pub Choir drew hundreds of people together to learn harmonies and record popular songs in various pubs. This has now evolved to Couch Choir, where videos of different harmonies are posted to a Facebook group and people are encouraged to record themselves singing at home. Thousands of people are joining in on this phenomenon with videos coming in from 18 different countries.
Check out the rendition of The Carpenters - They Long To Be (Close to You) here.
