It was something we'd been told happens on our programs but the fact no one from this specific team had been into that community before was a moment that defined the rest of the week. We were welcomed by everyone. A clear result of the legacy that has been built throughout the years by Red Dust; and for myself (Mikaela), Jessy, Rhys, Georgia, Jen, Kobe, Lara and Louie we realised that we are now part of it.

Dancing and Drumming were the focus of the program. We'd travelled out to Utju with Lara and Kobe representing Junkyard Beats, a group known for turning Junk into Funk, and with Larrakia, Yolngu, and Darnley hip-hop dancer Rhys De La Cruz who spent the week teaching a dance routine to the students which was then performed in front of parents, elders and families on our final day.

Watching Rhys lead the dance sessions, I noticed a few things - he was seen as a leader among the students, his teaching approach was encouraging and supportive… there was no shame as a result, which meant every student he taught felt safe to express themselves through movement. On top of that, I saw the students feel a sense of pride within themselves for mastering the choreography, and pure joy radiate from them. And now whenever they hear Marryuna by Baker Boy, they can associate it with a core memory that Rhys helped form.

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Broken Playground Given New Life!

Why spend thousands of dollars on new music equipment when you can repurpose and recycle materials into something just as epic? This the message of Junkyard Beats. A team of creatives who have a knack for turning junk into funk. This included repurposing the old playground which was being torn down so a new one could replace it. Kobe and Lara saw the opportunity and gathered what they could for their instillation. There was something really beautiful about knowing the destruction of something that once brought children joy would have the same outcome with its new life.

The other items that you'll see on the instillation were locally sourced. Kobe and Lara would spend time exploring the tip, finding pots, pans, lids, old cans - anything that made a cool sound had the highest chance of being recycled by the pair.

The final result?

‍A solid, interactive groove machine that the students now have access to express their musical talents.

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School Values

There are three key messages the school lives by.

Ngaltunytju – Proud

Pukulpa – Proud

Pukultju – Caring

Utju School not only embraces these values but embeds them into their curriculum every day. And its achieving results.

This program was one of those soul scratching reminders that the work we do at Red Dust not only has impact for those we work with, but for those of us at Red Dust. Being in Utju was one of the most beautiful examples of this, and was a moment for us as a team that we will carry with us in our everyday life.

"This week was really wonderful. It was the proudest week with Red Dust"

- Tarna, Local Elder.

We love being able to do what we do, to provide community with programs that encourage, support and provide in whatever they desire.

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