Eight children who completed the hand in hand art work shop received a certificate of appreciation for their participation throughout the program.

The certificate was handed to them by state member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson and Maldanha Wambinya Indigenous Community Support Coordinator Janet Bell.

Attendees at the launch included state member for the Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson, member for the NSW Legislative Council Mick Veitch, Mayor Wendy Tuckerman, Councillor Julie Poplin CINC and BOM treasure Richard Neate.

Aboriginal artist Nyree Reynolds, Cowra Mayor Bill West and Wiradjuri Elder Beryl Smith also attended the launch.

Strategies were implemented to help launch the hand in hand art work shop between Cowra and Boorowa to assist in building a bridge between the indigenous and non indigenous communities within rural Australia.

Some indigenous students were identified within the local Boorowa Central School and community support workers Jaeme Bird and Harry Williams and coordinator Janet Bell reached out to Boorowa to help mentor the indigenous students and set up activities for them to participate in.

The arts and crafts was an old time favourite and was set up with the assistance of Ron Simpson who is the indigenous program officer for the Cowra High School.

Mr Simpson has provided ongoing support throughout the work shop and assisted in educating the children on their Aboriginal cultural background.

The children anticipated the arrival of workshop instructors’ company each week and were overwhelmed when the program started, a spokesperson for the Maldanha Wambinya Indigenous Community Support Service said.

Aboriginal artist Nyree Reynolds also supported the program by facilitating the workshop and giving long hours.

A spokesperson for the Maldanha Wambinya Indigenous Community Support Service said the art work shop was a great success and a wonderful experience.

“We at Maldanha Wambinya Indigenous Community Support Service will continue to outreach to Boorowa and at present are working together with [Cowra] Mulyan Public School principal Mr Smith to have another art work shop up and running by April 2012,” she said.

“Programs such as this are perfect examples of how simple it can be to close the gap between indigenous and non indigenous communities and between communities in rural Australia.”

The programs are part of the closing the gap initiative implemented by the Australian Government.