from yaprap February-March 2011
Source: Sarah Dingle, ABC Landline, 24/10/2010
Compiled by Nick Manning
Tackling Aboriginal teenage unemployment in regional Australia is not easy. Aboriginal youth worker Selina Clark, from the Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service, has been mentoring a group of Aboriginal girls for two years. Lately that has included being taught grooming and deportment by a former model.
Lola Forrester, a Yuibera woman from Mackay, Queensland, has extensive experience in media and fashion, including her own modelling agency in Sydney's Redfern. "Still in a lot of country areas the self-esteem of young Aboriginal girls is very low. As I said to kids, 'If your parents can't help you, find somebody.' I had mentors when I was growing up and they were from all different backgrounds. And there is always people out there that will help you."
Selina Clark says, "A lot of girls have or in the community do come across domestic violence and drug and alcohol issues, and, you know, it is in the community and suicide. There's been a bit of racism that they've faced in the community, and, you know, probably facing the reality - you know, coming face to face with the facts of real life. ... I've seen them grow more confidently, and just to see them, you know, change over that time is a really great experience for me and the girls as well. "
Lola Forester says, "And to think that I grew up on a pineapple farm, climbing and swinging through trees and being a real tomboy and today this is what I'm doing today: teaching girls deportment! Maybe I feel fortunate enough to be able to do this type of work, because I've been out there and I've been one of those lucky ones. ... I think it's really sad these days that we don't have Aboriginal studies in school and that a lot of our kids are not getting the opportunity to understand that we have really good role models out there. You know, aspiring to athletes, to footballers. You know, that's not gonna get you anywhere. There might be a very small percentage who are gonna become footballers or athletes who are gonna make a lot of money. And the rest of us have to get out there and work."
At the end of the course, the girls hit the catwalk for a group of female community elders. Selina Clark was asked if she thought they could have done that two years ago? "No, definitely not. We want to encourage the girls to get out of that shameness, you know. If you wanna be in the world, you gotta stop being ashamed and if you want to become something."
More information
Albury Wodonga Aboriginal Health Service
- (02) 6040 1200
ABC Landline video or transcript: