Week 4

My friend Linda who is coming on board with me has convinced/excited her brother and his girlfriend to be a part of the project as well. I will use them as delagatories on the day. They booked a flight to Cairns form Brisbane. They live in New Zealand and will be visiting family in Brisbane at the time.

A childhood friend/journalist/previous local news reader has given me advice on how to write the press release and how to get the best possible outcome.

I have contacted last years school captain of the neighbouring school to see how most of the children from that community were behaving/acting, and what issues there may have been. She is Murri and a family member.

I am just back from talking to Neil Barringham of A Place to Belong and am now up on my high point of my rollercoaster. I was completely touched as Neil had organised for me to sit in a safe space with Sue-Ellen, Inclusion worker for the Community Arts Programs, and another student and a whiteboard to bounce ideas off my whole project. I felt so honoured as we felt like a team. Three people I hadn't met before working together with me on My project.
Some of the main important points they came up with were as follows:

Martin Buber theory and book of "I and thou" where Martin was building a relationship up with his horse. He came to the conclusion that a relationship is not just making contact with someone (or a horse), it's when you get a response and then you respond back to them. Now understanding why Lynda has made the discussion board a part of our curriculum. So in relation to my project and possibly yours, when I told Neil about how I first approached the Community Centre about my idea of a Dance Show case/ Multi-Cultural Festival, the first and immediate thing Neil wanted to know was…How did they respond? When I told them that they were excited and wanted to make and hand out flyers, find the space music and dancers for this event, Neil became very happy. I then told him that the Community Centre worker is meeting with the tribal elders and leaders to discuss what they would like because I offered many different suggestions that they may like to run with, Neil said…And now we have a community Development project. You offered they responded, you responded, relationships build. This right at the beginning this mandate is crucial to building hope and empowering.

Neil mentioned to put in my risk that this has potential as two professional dancers coming outside of the area into the area to be a production, not a CD project. But because of the regular contact with family leaders and myself having different options available to what they need and want I may be able to alleviate that risk. So negotiation needs to be constant. He also told me to keep my expectations low, move in small steps and be happy with this, Have movement opportunities as in when people are feeling uncomfortable have time outs or coffee or encourage walks to toilet. Having time out also with decision makers in planning stage, having support people available for people when they are feeling vulnerable. They also told me to delegate, and in between our workshops and the show case, to have food and story telling time. Use people's stories and ask them to tell it if they will to other groups. It's in this time that the real "richness develops" where trust and relationships and connections build. Sue-Ellen, Inclusion worker for the Community Arts Programs.

I've just spoken to Saga. As Community Development has it, after all the talking with Neil and Sue-Ellen about negotiation and careful planning around the agenda community members want, Saga has told me The Christmas party had turned into the Easter Party and they were flat out. I asked her how I could help her. She told me to make up a flyer, the community is happy with anything to do with dance and email it to her ASAP. She will hand them out in next meeting. She asked me to run workshops for the kids in the day time Thursday 8 th April as well as the Saturday because that would really help them out to keep the kids and youth busy and to keep momentum and promote the Saturday event. Saga asked me if after the workshops on the Thursday, I then help set up and prepare for the Multicultural Music and Dance Easter party for that night. There I can connect with the children and make banners, photos, stories and promote the KulchaKonnect event. That way just by spending time with the kids and community members I am starting to build rapport and trust. I am bringing with me the team to connect with community members (some of my team are residences anyway). I will be bringing Gaby as she is the organiser of an upcoming Multicultural Festival.