Education page. Not sure of date.
By John Stapleton
THEY came with dreams in their eyes and hope for the future. More than 2000 students, most of them indigenous, descended on Dubbo in the central west of NSW for the Croc Festival yesterday.
For many just getting to the three day festival was a major achievement. Not only did they have to travel sometimes hundreds of kilometres, but they were required to have attended school for 85 per cent of the time, a major achievement in many remote schools in Australia.
Going to the festival and staying away from their home towns is in itself a reward, designed to encourage the kids to show up for school.
The Croc Festival began in 1998 as a small event at Weipa in Queensland. The first festival involved only 17 schools and 350 students, but it has grown exponentially. More than 470 schools and 19,000 students are expected to participate in seven different festival sites this year.
The first Croc Festival was opened by the then Governor General Sir William Deane and hailed as ''reconciliation in action.'' Since then it has focused on practical outcomes, evolving into the country's main careers expo for aboriginal students. Its organisers claiming dramatic improvements amongst the students in self esteem, goal setting and awareness of career and job opportunities.
More than 5000 students attended the Festival in Kempsey earlier this month, while the final festival of the year, to be held in Shepparton in Victoria in three weeks time, is also expected to attract thousands of participants.
Founder of the festival Peter Sjoquist said the festival aimed to improve students' health and self esteem and to get them engaged with the education system. He described the attendance rates at many remote schools as ``shocking''.
``Everyone knows education is the key to life's chances,'' he said. ``The festival helps kids to to realise they have to stay in school to succeed.
``We have to find ways of engaging young people and encouraging them to come to school. School has to be engaging and fun.
``No matter what jobs these kids end up doing, literacy and numeracy are fundamental to their success.''
Activities begin with ``I Want To Be'' workshops pitched at primary school students, who can proudly wear mocked up passes identifying themselves as police, nurses or sports people; and range up to advice on university courses.
Activities begin with ``I Want To Be'' workshops pitched at primary school students, who can proudly wear mocked up passes identifying themselves as police, nurses or sports people; and range up to advice on university courses.
Former Wimbledon champion Evonne Goolagong, who was conducting tennis tutorials at Dubbo yesterday, has been involved with the Croc Festival since the beginning.
``What better way to bring communities and kids together,'' she said.
``Croc Fest has all the things young people love, sports, music, culture. I want to give these kids the same opportunities that were given to me.''
``Croc Fest has all the things young people love, sports, music, culture. I want to give these kids the same opportunities that were given to me.''
Aboriginal liaison officer at the NSW Western Institute of Technical and Further Education said asking young people to think about what they wanted to do helped them to focus on their life choices. ``They often come from families where the education level is not that great; but their parents and grandparents are pushing them to succeed,'' he said. ``We need to help them recognise that education is important.''
Many of the young boys yesterday wanted to be football stars; and could think of no better life past. Shari Carney, 14, from Year 9 Gilgandra High School near Dubbo, said she wanted to be an aboriginal choreographer and event manager. ``I like working with young indigenous children,'' she said. ``I want to be a community person. I want to help keep the kids out of trouble and encourage them to stay in school.
``There's lots of trouble in Gilgandra. I stay out of it. Dancing is a good way to release stress. It encourages people to be positive. Croc Fest is good for young people; gives advice for us to get out of our comfort zones. It encourages us to stay away from drugs and alcohol. I really like it. It's easier for indigenous kids now; you can do a lot of stuff. But some people get into trouble and some don't. There's not enough to do.
``Me and my friends all do dancing; and it helps us to live a good life.''
Sharnee Priddis, 17, who is in Year 12 at Gilgandra High, said she also wanted to be an aboriginal choreographer. ``It gives me something to do and I can show younger people and older people some of my skills, keep them out of trouble and stuff like that,'' she said. ``Youngelr pole haven't got much to do. They are running the streets and doing drugs. But if I show them, urge them on, they will think, I could be a dancer like you.''
Sharnee Priddis, 17, who is in Year 12 at Gilgandra High, said she also wanted to be an aboriginal choreographer. ``It gives me something to do and I can show younger people and older people some of my skills, keep them out of trouble and stuff like that,'' she said. ``Youngelr pole haven't got much to do. They are running the streets and doing drugs. But if I show them, urge them on, they will think, I could be a dancer like you.''
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