Indigenous artist and performer Goomblar Wylo is a special guest at a conference being organised by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about to complete a mental health degree with Charles Sturt University (CSU)

 

The 14 students from across Australia are studying the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) at CSU in Wagga Wagga. They will each address the conference on Wednesday 22 August on a range of mental health topics.

 

Goomblar, from the Birri-Gubba and Wakka Wakka tribes of South East Queensland, now lives in the NSW Blue Mountains and has travelled internationally with his storytelling, music and dance.

 

He is a member of the Stolen Generation after being taken from his parents at the age of four and separated from his 10 brothers and sisters. Goomblar has also worked as an artist and as a drug and alcohol counsellor in NSW prisons.

 

He will be joined as special guest at the student-organised conference at CSU by Noongar man from southern Western Australia, Mr Eugene Eades who works in social justice and the environment.

 

On his work with the environment, Mr Eades said, “If we heal the land, our people will heal and be healthier people and make wonderful decisions”.

 

CSU Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) student Ms Kristen Ella from the NSW Central Coast said, “Goomblar and Eugene have extraordinary stories to tell. We are delighted they can join us for our final year conference ahead of our graduation in December as mental health professionals.”

 

Known as the Djirruwang mental health program, CSU offers a Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health), a tertiary level distance education course through the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health. Read more about the Djirruwang program here.

 

The Deadly Mob, Strong Spirits, Many Journeys conference will be opened at 9.10am on Wednesday 22 August by Director of the University’s Djirruwang program, Ms Faye McMillan. Read more about Ms McMillan on CSU News here.