Australia Awards South and West Asia

On 7–14 July 2024, Australia marks NAIDOC Week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Ahead of NAIDOC Week, Australia Awards scholars from Pakistan have participated in Indigenous engagement activities across Australia. These opportunities provided the scholars with an appreciation of Indigenous Australians’ culture, history and achievements.

One of the highlights of these events was a three-day, two-night immersive First Nations experience held in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia. Fourteen scholars from South Asia and Mongolia, including several who are indigenous or from traditionally marginalised groups, travelled from across Australia to participate. Scholars undertook tours to learn about the relationship that the Adnyamathanha people, the Traditional Owners of the greater Ikara and Flinders Ranges area, have with the environment. Scholars also learnt about Indigenous perspectives through a yarning circle around a campfire at Ikara, leading to a discussion of this year’s NAIDOC theme: ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.

Scholar Saira Qayyum at Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia.

Pakistani scholar Saira Qayyum said, “This trip gave me a chance to see Australia’s native animals, interact with Aboriginal people, and learn about their history and culture. I made lasting connections, and the learning will remain with me throughout my life. This trip exemplified the transformative power of experiential learning, the impact of physically immersing yourself in a place and connecting with its people.”

In Melbourne, scholars travelled to the Willum Warrain Aboriginal bush nursery in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula. Peter Aldenhoven, a Quandamooka man and the founding member and CEO of Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association which owns and operates the nursery, began the tour with a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and face-painting using ochre.

Scholar Nowsherwan Ali is welcomed to the Willum Warrain Aboriginal bush nursery with traditional ochre face paint by a representative of the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association.

Peter then imparted his knowledge about the Koorie bush tucker trail, traditional huts, material culture and the local flora of the Mornington Peninsula.

Peter Aldenhoven (left) explains local place names to Pakistani scholars (left to right) Nowsherwan Ali, Muhammad Tayyab and Umais Armin

In Sydney, scholars embarked on a cultural cruise run by Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation and learnt about the history and traditional culture of Sydney Harbour. Stories of the Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people were shared on board the cruise before the scholars disembarked on Clark Island. There, the scholars learnt about life pre-colonisation, the coastal lifestyle, and traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques.

Pakistani scholar Sohaib Rasheed is welcomed with traditional face paint at the cultural cruise by representatives of the Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation in Sydney.

Main picture (top left of the page): Pakistani scholars (from left to right) Muhammad Tayyab, Nowsherwan Ali, Abdur Rehman and Umais Armin based in Melbourne.