Inmates with New Zealand and Samoa heritage participated in the traditional Waitangi Day at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre. About forty inmates offered a range of Maori songs and traditional Maori Kapa Haka performances to mark the historic 1840 Treaty of Waitangi when representatives of the British Crown and more than five hundred Maori chiefs signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. Guests at the centre were welcomed to country by a didgeridoo performance by two Indigenous inmates from the Mununjali – Wakkawakka people. Representatives from various organisations and Maori communities
in Brisbane attended, including the Koha Shed Australia, 4 EB community radio – Maori radio, Pasifika Women’s Alliance, Heilani Productions and the Hope Centre Services.
Inmates Celebrate Historic Signing Written By Selena Landman, Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre
The centre’s Education Officer Kalisi Bese, who coordinated and organised the event, said, “It is important at Arthur Gorrie that we take into account, cultural values and principles in the assessment, treatment, management and rehabilitation of inmates of Maori and Pacific heritage” Centre staff who also assisted in the organisation of the day included the multicultural centre staff, Employment Officer Aleisha Maher and Corrective Services Officer Norman Hill.
Pictured Left to Right: Back Row: Pae-Wai Puketapu (The Koha Shed Aust), AGCC General Mananger Troy Ittensohn, AGCC Programs Officer Kalisi Bese, Lele Puketapu (The Koha Shed Aust), and Ranandy Stanley (Multicultural Liaison & Community Development Coordinator–Hope Centre Services.) Front Row: Wynn Te Kani (Pasifika Womens Alliance & Maori Community Radio), Marama Rose Smith (Maori Cultural Protocol–Heilani Productions), and AGCC Employment Officer Aleisha Maher.
GEO Group Focuses On Growing Youth Published In The Southern Cross (This article is shortened from the original)
Seven of Junee shire’s best and brightest received recognition for their efforts. The GEO Group’s Youth in Focus scholarships aim to support the development and growth of young people. From the 18 applicants, seven across the fields of academia and sport were recognised. Elisha McDermott and Hayley Hackett received the full scholarship, while Ben Turner, Caitlin Guinan, Braydon Lancaster, Natalie Puttock and Lilly Hogan received a part scholarship. “We’re focused on Junee and bringing skills back to Junee, or helping people in Junee through mentoring, training or supporting a sport in town,” GEO’s HR Manager Kelly Eisenhauer said.This year, Elisha McDermott will head to the University of Newcastle to study teaching. She said the scholarship would make a big difference and thank GEO for their corporate citizenship. “It’s highly appreciated, it will go a long way to helping me in my studies,” Ms. McDermott said. When she graduates, Ms. McDermott said she aims to return to Junee High to teach students.
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International Services
GEO World 2Q2016