Community programs that include learning about the heritage of Victoria's First People are making a difference. Programs offered at the Koorie Heritage Trust include Cultural Competency in the workplace and Cultural Heritage walks.
The Koorie Heritage Trust offers guided walking tours and cultural competency workshops to organisations so staff in the workplace have a clearer understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Koorie Heritage Trust is now home on the (Birrarung) River of Mists (Yarra River) at Federation square and is also an exhibition and archive display.
The space is open to the public so people can walk through and see some of the handcrafted artifacts from First Nations Victorian communtities and the many other nations that make up the community including the Torres Strait Islands.
Cultural awareness and community education connects people to country. Connection also starts with learning about the cultural landscape and history of country and people before settlement from British invasion and slavery.
Rob Hyatt is the Manager for Education at the Koorie Heritage Trust and he says that by taking one of the guided walks or supporting cultural competency in the workplace, people don't have to travel to other nations to have an Aboriginal experience.
