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Amooguna children parade helmets with traditional art

Six Aboriginal children from the Amooguna Community, who live in and around Alice Springs, highlighted examples of their own artistic culture as they rode through Latrobe City as part last week’s Great Victorian Bike Ride,

By Latrobe City Council - 10th December 2003 - Back to News

For the six Aboriginal children, who all attend the Irrkerlantye Learning Centre it was a great adventure, as none had ventured interstate before. It was also an awesome experience being among four-thousand bicycle riders.

Head-teacher at the Irrkerlantye Learning Centre, Jenny Buckley, one of the three adults travelling with the children, said the Irrkerlantye Learning Centre began in 1996 as an educational alternative for Aboriginal students considered to be at risk from high levels of substance abuse, violence, their involvement in the juvenile justice system, and dysfunctional and anti-social behaviours.

"The project evolved to include the whole family, as grandmothers and staff realised that this was the best way to make an impact on the lives and behaviours of young students. Adult programs were also developed in art and construction," Ms Buckley explained.

Ms Buckley said each of the children wore a bicycle helmet which in itself was a work of art. "A number of the Arrernte women involved with the Irrkerlantye Learning Centre are well known central Australian artists specialising in dot paintings, ceramics, sculpture and printing. To help fund the trip for the children, they painted the children’s bicycle helmets in traditional art styles. We hope to sell these helmets at the end of the ride to recover some of the costs of bringing the children to Victoria and taking part in the ride," Ms Buckley said.

Ms Buckley said that for all the children it was their first time they’d ever encountered hills and they had some trouble adapting at first.

"Cycling is part of the school culture and while we have been training for the Great Victorian Bike Ride for a couple of months, the children simply aren’t used to hills though, as they don’t exist around Alice Springs. Only one completed the whole ride the first day. However on the second day five of the six young people made the whole distance," Ms Buckley said.

The children were presented with LatrobeFirst riding tops by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lisa Proctor, when they were welcomed to the municipality at the start of their overnight stop in Glengarry on Tuesday. "The children won a great deal of respect from other riders for the way they tackled the difficulties of the ride. Our LatrobeFirst riders decided they’d be great ambassadors to highlight Latrobe City to other people they meet along the way and in their own community when they get home," Cr Proctor said.

"It would be great if members of our community were able to provide support to the visiting children by purchasing one of their unique bicycle helmets," Cr Proctor added.

Enquiries regarding the purchase of a helmet or sponsorship of the Irrkerlantye children should be directed to Jenny Buckley, telephone 0411 605 483. The Irrkerlantye artists’ works can be seen on their web page www.irrkerlantyearts.com.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  East Gippsland Mayor acknowledges recent extreme heat, commends community responses, urges vigilance, bushfire preparedness, checking on vulnerable people, accessing support services, and using Vic Emergency app and Emergency Dashboard.
• Danny O’Brien delivers hundreds of donated nappies to Vinnies, supporting Gippsland families in need across the region
  Danny O’Brien has donated hundreds of unused nappies to Vinnies, collected via The Nappy Collective, helping Gippsland families experiencing "nappy stress" and encouraging ongoing community support.
• Bass Coast Shire Council celebrates local community groups’ achievements and grants at inspiring event
  Bass Coast Council celebrated 92 local community groups, awarding $294,000 in grants, including $40,000 for climate projects, supporting creativity, connection, and resilience across the region at a vibrant celebration.
• East Gippsland Australia Day Awards celebrate community spirit, honouring events and initiatives making meaningful impact in 2026
  The 2026 East Gippsland Australia Day Awards honoured the Winter Festival and Breast Care Support Fund for fostering connection, generosity, and community spirit across the region.
• Mayor Cr John White reflects on busy September: Sport, community, citizenship, infrastructure, and engagement across East Gippsland
  September was a busy, rewarding month for East Gippsland, with community events, sports, citizenship ceremonies, infrastructure projects, policy consultations, and initiatives boosting local tourism and engagement.
• Melina Bath warns rising crime under Labor threatens community safety, as offences increase, calling for stronger police support and tougher laws
  Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath warns crime rose 12.7% to 640,860 under Labor, with reduced police funding and station hours leaving Victorians unsafe, calling for stronger laws and police support.
• West Gippsland CMA champions healthy waterways, culture, community, and sustainability across the catchment
  West Gippsland CMA celebrates World Rivers Day by highlighting river health, cultural significance, and restoration efforts. Caring for 40,000km of waterways, they partner with communities to ensure resilient, thriving rivers.
• Latrobe City events drive tourism, economic growth and community engagement across the region
  Latrobe City hosted major sporting and cultural events in 2024 - 25, attracting over 27,000 attendees and generating $23.5 million in economic impact, reinforcing the region's growing reputation as an events hub.
• Wellington Shire Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange surges ahead, handling one in 43 Victorian Cattle Sales in 2024
  Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange recorded a remarkable 122% increase in cattle throughput last financial year, making it the highest percentage increase of any saleyard in Australia.
• South Gippsland Shire Council invites the community to join the Garage Sale Trail on November and other projects
  Australia's biggest second-hand treasure hunt returns this November across two weekends, offering households the chance to declutter and earn cash, while bargain hunters uncover unique finds and help divert goods from landfill.
• East Gippsland opens Lakes Entrance changing places facility, boosting accessibility, inclusion, and community participation
  East Gippsland Shire Council and partners opened a Lakes Entrance Changing Places facility, providing fully accessible toilets, changerooms, and showers, enhancing inclusion, dignity, and community participation for people with disabilities.
• Danny O'Brien urges Gippslanders to donate early to Giving Trees and help bring Christmas joy to foster children
  Gippslanders are encouraged to donate early to A Better Life for Foster Kids' Giving Trees, helping ensure every child in out-of-home care receives a Christmas gift this festive season.
• Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes highlights community collaboration survive South Gippsland's dry season challenges
  Inverloch dairy farmer Mick Hughes credits collaboration with the Inverloch Cluster and local water authorities for navigating South Gippsland's recurring dry conditions and improving farm drought resilience.