5/6/03
A Murchison Aboriginal community has been congratulated for its contribution to the new Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School, officially opened today by Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter.
In Pia Wadjarri (350km north-east of Geraldton) to open the $700,000 facilities, Mr Carpenter said about 20 students were benefiting from the strong role of the community in the school's ongoing development.
The school, with two full-time teachers, Aboriginal support staff, two classrooms, ablutions block and teacher accommodation, first opened its doors in August last year.
"The community wanted their children educated in their homeland, rather than sent to schools in Mullewa or Geraldton," Mr Carpenter said.
"So, prior to August 2002, schooling was conducted in the community's women's centre with all expenses met from the community budget.
"The children were supervised by Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer Rachel Papertalk and assisted by a Community Development Education Program worker."
The Minister today presented Ms Papertalk with a certificate of appreciation for her services in educating the children of Pia Wadjarri.
The new school, financed by the State Government, provides two full-time qualified teachers and appropriate education facilities in which to teach the community's children.
Mr Carpenter applauded community involvement in the project.
"The school was created through a process of community consultation, which established that there was a strong need for improved resourcing," he said.
"The community's submission appealed for on-site education provision to Year 12 and education programs that incorporated the community's culture, values and traditions into the school's education programs.
"The community expressed a desire that the programs open children to a choice of lifestyles, whether in the community or away from it.
"I think that is a great vision and one I was very happy to support."
The Pia Wadjarri Community is in the Murchison, 220km north of Mullewa and home to about 70 people.
Explorer John Forrest excised land from pastoral lease properties in 1890 to give to the Pia Wadjarri people when he became Premier, after they nursed him back to health following an illness during an exploration.
While the Pia Wadjarri people have occupied the area since the1890s, many younger people and families returned to their traditional land in the 1980s, boosting community numbers.
Pia Wadjarri is the 35th remote community school operated by the Department of Education and Training.
Minister's Office - 9213 6800
