A group of Far North Queensland children is using the medium of video as a vehicle to change their lives for the better.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from Kuranda have teamed up to star in a series of videos, focused on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and respectful relationships to at risk and vulnerable youth in the Cairns region.
Youth Link Cre8 Kuranda worked with 35 local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youngsters, all of whom had never acted or taken part in a video project previously, to produce the video series.
The five ‘Wayz’ videos focus on promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours, making healthy choices, improving mental health and wellbeing, improving health literacy, and improving skills in developing healthy and respectful relationships.
The Wayz videos are part of a resource development initiative undertaken as part of True’s ‘What’s Up? Growing up, talking up, hooking up, loving up, clued up…’ project, funded by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) through its Active Healthy Grant program.
The What’s Up? project aims to improve young people’s capacity to create respectful relationships, support healthier choices regarding sexual behaviour and health, and improve access to services through tailored workforce training sessions for staff and culturally appropriate education for students.
Harley Deshong, 12, was involved in the ‘Old Wayz, New Wayz’ video, and said he learned a great deal from the project which pushed him out of his comfort zone, and he hopes the project will teach people to respect each other.
“At first I was nervous, but then we learned how to make the videos and I think we did a good job,” Harley said.
“The video I was involved with showed us fighting, but that it’s better to be friends and talk nicely to each other. When people watch it, they might learn a bit about our culture. I think it will make my family proud.”
‘Sista Wayz’ video participant, 11-year-old Sherral-lee Riley, said she was glad to be involved with the exciting video series, pushing an anti-bullying message.
“I was really excited to make the video because I had never made one before with my friends. Now I am on YouTube with my favourite dancers,” Sherral-lee said.
“I hope when other people see my video they like it and they choose not to bully each other.”
Xj Chin from Youth Link Cr8 Kuranda said there have been numerous benefits from the video project, both for the children involved and the broader Kuranda community by creating local pride, countering stereotypes, and by inspiring young people in the community.
“When we showed the kids the videos they put together, they became proud of them, and even started respecting each other more and respecting boundaries,” said Xj.
“You could see it ticking over in their minds thinking ‘I want to live up to that!’
“So many positive comments are coming in from our community, and we want to make sure these are heard by the youth involved, so undoubtedly this project has contributed to building their self-esteem.
“I truly believe that we can transform our community through the continuation of these projects, because our greatest need is to continue engaging the youth and to provide a path for them to explore and develop their skills and talents.”
The videos have been posted on Cre8 Kuranda’s YouTube channel, and are available on all HITnet terminals in communities Australia wide, allowing access without internet connectivity.
The videos will also be screened on NITV, and are planned to be used as resources to spark conversations during further What’s Up? project sessions, helping people in Cairns and surrounds to develop respectful relationships and live happier, healthier, longer lives.
Watch the Wayz video series here.