News 2006
11 September 2006 TJINATJUNANYI
On Monday 11th September, members of Port Augusta Congress and Davenport Community
met with the Regional Director of Education, David Craig, ICAN manager, Yvonne Barker, and local
school principals to discuss the joint submission by Davenport Community and Congress to
develop solutions for those Aboriginal students not attending school. In Term 4 a pilot program
will commence at Davenport providing an educational program for students and families. As
part of the proposals, Education Consultant, Dr Di Russell, has been engaged by Congress to
consult with Aboriginal families and schools in Port Augusta and make recommendations concerning
the issue of non-attendance. Dr Russell will be supported by members of Congress when she visits families.
This partnership between Congress, Davenport Community and DECS (the Education
Department), with the involvement and support of local organizations such as Pika Wiya, Port Augusta Hospital
and others, has been given the name, Tjinatjunanyi, which is a Pitjantjatjara word meaning "to set free".
Loosely translated, Tjinatjunanyi has become "Footprints to freedom".
Top L-R: Lavene Ngatokorua from
Davenport Community and District Director of Education, David Craig, at the meeting.
1 September 2006 REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETS IN PA
Reverend Shayne Blackman, United Aboriginal and Islander
Christian Congress National Administrator, and Alan Randell
from the National Office met with SA Congress members at the recent Regional Council
meeting in Port Augusta.
Pictured LtoR: Shayne Blackman, Hohaia Matthews and Elder, Bruce Carter.
20 August 2006 BAPTISMS
On Sunday Mr & Mrs. Timothy and Patricia Tahi-Tahi; Mr. Mark Tahi-Tahi
and partner Ms. Rebecca Casey, presented their six children to be baptised at the Port Augusta
Congress Faith Community Church in Port Augusta. The baptism ceremony was co-officiated
by Rev. Hohaia Matthews and Rev. Ken Sumner.
Rev. Matthews said, "This was a fantastic time of celebration in the life of
the Port Augusta Congress Faith Community and in the bigger picture of things of faith
and God. Our challenge as parents and that of the church is to provide continued
spiritual/physical support to both parents and children."
After the baptismal service the community had a time of fellowship held around great food.
2 July 2006 TOMORROW'S LEADERS
One of the major impacts at National Conference was the contribution of the youth from all states, not least from
SA. The Youth report to National Conference made a deep impact on the delegates. The Youth called on
Congress for support at the local level in all states but also for a National Youth Conference. The youth also
participated strongly across the program in singing, musical accompiament and group work. Check out the
photos.
Click on the images above to see larger pictures.
2 July 2006 LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Rev. Ken Sumner was elected as national Deputy Chairperson of Congress at the National Conference held
recently on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Rev. Wali Fejo, recently retired to Port Augusta, was honoured with a Life Membership.
Below Left, Ken Sumner; Right, Wali Fejo.
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Below: Left, Ken Sumner and Nelson Varcoe. Right, Murray Bridge incl. Uncle Bruce and Auntie Kathy. |
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2 July 2006 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
On June 26th the UAICC held its Triennial National Conference at the Alexandra Conference Centre on the
Sunshine Coast. South Australia sent over 70 to the conference out of the near 200 total attending. Of these near
30 were young people from the youth groups in SA. On the weekend before the conference the youth and women
ran special programs.
Two large painted murals were created by the youth and a quilt was made and displayed
by the women of Congress. The large number of young people from SA surprised the delegates and their
continued contribution and involvement in worship was inspiring.
Among the reports given to Congress National Conference was an impassioned speech by Rev. Ken Sumner on
Covenanting. Uncle Victor gave a stirring testimony and a history lesson which is still unfolding. Many of these
issues demanded a response from all people of goodwill but consideration for practicalities limited the number
that could be advanced to the Assembly. Rev Gregor Henderson and General secretary Rev. Terence Corkin
spent a couple of days at the Conference, meeting and listening to many Aboriginal people from all states.
28 April 2006 FAMILY FUN DAY
On Friday 28 April, Congress organised the first of a series of
Family Fun Days under the auspices of Communities for Children Port Augusta.
Racheal Tassone and members of the Congress Youth and Congress Faith Community
set up the tents and spaces for the various organisations supporting the day.
The weather held after elctrical storms the night before and the damp morning
turned into a great day for families and children. Everything was free. Bouncy castle,
slides, Early Childhood activities, face painting, bubble blowing and Old MacDonald's Travelling Farm
baby animals. There were balloons and free pops handed out by the clowns and a sausage sizzle.
It was great to see families and kids of all cultures mixing and having fun. Altogether a
great day for Port Augusta families.
Click on the images above to see larger pictures.
27 April 2006 CHRISTMAS CARD BY LOCAL ARTIST
This enchanting image of the Three Kings has been
especially painted for Frontier Services‘ supporters by artist Lavene Ngatokorua.
Inside: Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Bible Verse: When they saw the star they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Matthew 2:10-11
Lavene was born in Port Augusta and she grew up at the Umeewarra Children‘s Home.
Lavene‘s art reflects her knowledge and commitment to her culture and
also her community involvement. She uses both traditional and
contemporary colours and styles to express herself in her art. Lavene
believes that culture is dynamic and therefore changes with the times but
her culture underlies everything she does.
Therefore her art represents a mix of traditional and contemporary issues
and is presented in such a way to ensure it is relevant to today‘s society.
As an artist she is known as Inkatja which means new moon, Lavene
believes this is an appropriate name for an artist who is bringing a
contemporary style to such an ancient art form.
To order cards contact Congress or your local Uniting Church.
2 April 2006 KCO 2006
Kids of the Uniting Church in Australia Camp Out at West Beach Caravan Park or KCO 2006.
Again a whole mob of kids went from Port Augusta and Salisbury and the Flinders Ranges. Lots of leaders
and big kids looking after little kids, fun and laughter and learning about being God's kids. Not to
mention being on TV! Check out the pics. . . .
Click on the images above to see larger pictures.
25 March 2006 CONGRESS STORM IN FINAL
Well, ministry in Port Augusta has sky rocketed through the roof. Last September the
Uniting Aboriginal Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Port Augusta decided to enter a Youth/Womens
Indigenous basketball team (Congress Storm) in B grade of the Port Augusta Basketball Association.
After a long 7 months of training and basketball games, coached by Rev. Hohaia Matthews and Lavene
Ngatokorua, we made it into the finals. We were more than happy to get that far. To top it off, we
then made it to the Grand Final! Who would have ever thought that in our first season such a young
Indigenous team would get to the Grand Final? To make the occassion more special we, the Congress
Storm, played another Indigenous Team, the Shadows, who have been in the Basketball Association
over 10 years. This was a first for the Port Augusta Basketball Association, to have two Aboriginal
teams play-off in a Grand Final.
The Grand Final was awesome! With the support of our families, friends, our cheer squad, supporters
from other basketball clubs and members of our Congregation, we fought to the end. We might have
been gallant losers but we were truly champion winners in making history for the Basketball
Association. The rival team happened to be aunties, cousins and sisters so it was a real family
affair and the two teams created another first by hugging each other at the end of the game.
On behalf of the Congress Storm basketball players we would like to thank Uncle Rev. Hohaia and
Aunty Dawn Matthews for all their help, especially for all their financial support so we could
play in the basketball competition.
Top L-R: Kristen Vesant, Leilamarie Likouresis,
Shellander Champion, Racheal Tassone (Team Manager), Brianna Warren, Rev Hohaia Matthews
AKA "Father Joe" (Coach)
Bottom: Danika Lester, Joanne Waye-Hill, Candace Champion
Great things are happening in our Community and our Ministry is growing day by day. This is a
great story and there will be plenty more to come from us here in Port Augusta. We hope you
can keep us and the people in this community in your prayers. We would also appreciate any
support you could offer us, in any shape or form.
If you are coming to Port Augusta, or passing through Port Augusta, please don't hesitate to
contact us or drop in for a cuppa. If you are looking for somewhere to bring your Youth Group
or members of your church, think of Port Augusta, and if you would like to be a part of
our dynamic ministry, please get in contact with us.
God Bless.
Racheal Tassone,
UAICC Port Augusta - Youth Worker
P.O Box 2113, Port Augusta, SA 5700
Email:
mobile: 0428 548 363
19 January 2006 PORT AUGUSTA
We have cleared the decks for 2006. What an awesome year we had in 2005! Check out the
highlights by clicking on the archive link to the left or here. Uncle Joe and Auntie Dawn have just
returned from South Africa so news on that soon. Be sure to stay tuned to this station. More is to come.
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