““Connections”Connections”

Aboriginal Women’s Aboriginal Women’s Art Therapy GroupArt Therapy Group

Vision StatementVision Statement

“ “The provision of the Aboriginal Art The provision of the Aboriginal Art Therapy Group is to specifically provide a Therapy Group is to specifically provide a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal culturally safe environment for Aboriginal women with a mental illness, and or their women with a mental illness, and or their carers to address social and emotional carers to address social and emotional well-being issues through art”well-being issues through art”

HistoryHistory• Originally a Aboriginal Medical Centre program.Originally a Aboriginal Medical Centre program. Heavily researched from January 1998-2002 by a Physiatrist Heavily researched from January 1998-2002 by a Physiatrist

and Kaylene Simon, asking community members of the and Kaylene Simon, asking community members of the Redfern, Waterloo and Surry Hills area of what they wanted.Redfern, Waterloo and Surry Hills area of what they wanted.

• South Eastern Area Health and St Vincent's Hospital took South Eastern Area Health and St Vincent's Hospital took over the program. The City of Sydney gave our women a over the program. The City of Sydney gave our women a safe place to express their feelings doing creative art. safe place to express their feelings doing creative art. (Community Centre) in Chippendale every Monday from (Community Centre) in Chippendale every Monday from 9:30am till 2pm.9:30am till 2pm.

• Transport is provided by Indigenous staff.Transport is provided by Indigenous staff.• A healthy meal is provided. The women take turns in A healthy meal is provided. The women take turns in

preparing the lunch.preparing the lunch.

Excursions and Camps Excursions and Camps

• In the past the women have had a In the past the women have had a day collecting shells from the beach day collecting shells from the beach for art works.for art works.

• Attended various Exhibitions and Attended various Exhibitions and B.B.Q’s B.B.Q’s

• Camp at “Healing House” in Picton. Camp at “Healing House” in Picton. Run by Aboriginal Women.Run by Aboriginal Women.

Workshops in Grief and LossWorkshops in Grief and Loss

• Run twice a year by Pam GreerRun twice a year by Pam Greer

Pam’s Wellbeing KitPam’s Wellbeing Kit

• Flag for identityFlag for identity• Gum Leaf to connect to the landGum Leaf to connect to the land• Eraser to make all those little mistakes go awayEraser to make all those little mistakes go away• Five cents so you will never be brokeFive cents so you will never be broke• A marble for the days you are sure you have lost A marble for the days you are sure you have lost

yoursyours• A rubber band to help you stretch beyond your A rubber band to help you stretch beyond your

current limits.current limits.• A string to hold it together when things seem to be A string to hold it together when things seem to be

falling apartfalling apart• A rose to remind you that someone cares about youA rose to remind you that someone cares about you• A smile to make your dayA smile to make your day

ExhibitionsExhibitions2005 Manly Council Lino Prints2005 Manly Council Lino Prints

2006 Maroubra Centerlink Mural2006 Maroubra Centerlink Mural

““I painted this picture during classes at ‘Connections’. I had I painted this picture during classes at ‘Connections’. I had never painted a picture in my life before joining the art never painted a picture in my life before joining the art therapy group and I am still surprised at what I can do with therapy group and I am still surprised at what I can do with a paintbrush. a paintbrush.

I have been a regular participant for about 5 years now and I I have been a regular participant for about 5 years now and I am thankful to the mental health services for running this am thankful to the mental health services for running this important program.”important program.”

“…“…Our Land.. represents the beautiful Our Land.. represents the beautiful country around Tweed Heads where I country around Tweed Heads where I and my siblings were raised…”and my siblings were raised…”

The mountains are Mount WarningThe mountains are Mount WarningThe river is the Tweed River which curves around on itselfThe river is the Tweed River which curves around on itselfGreen is the lush bush and rainforestsGreen is the lush bush and rainforests

Launch of CondomsLaunch of Condoms