Curtin Kalgoorlie students from the Science and Engineering department, studying mining engineering, geology, and metallurgy, participated in an on-country cultural experience focused on Aboriginal cultures in the Goldfields region, with support from Northern Star Resources.
On 17 September, students, staff, industry partners, and community groups attended the annual Cultural Awareness Rocks event. The program included cultural learning activities, networking opportunities with industry partners, and an on-country exploration where students learned from Aboriginal Elders and tasted honey ants.
“I enjoyed learning about Aboriginal culture!”
– Jhonnatan Vladimir Gonzales Angulo.
Upon returning to campus, attendees participated in a presentation by Northern Star Resources covering Stakeholder Engagement and Cultural Heritage. A bush tucker lunch was provided, and the day concluded with a creative workshop in which students produced artwork incorporating cultural symbols introduced during the event.
All artworks were entered into an art competition and displayed in the Curtin Kalgoorlie Library, allowing students to vote for their preferred pieces. Winners were announced on October 16, 2024.
Congratulations to:
- First prize winners – Group 2: Galih Firdaus, Alejandro Acosta Quelopana, Jose Rodriguez Delgado, Jhonnatan Vladimir Gonzales Angulo, Keyi Liao, Ziping QU
- Second prize winners – Group 7: Minarbha Sahoo, Tayuporn Intarachit, Zhilin Ma, Youyou Yang, Saroj Kumar Biswakarma, Aquib Ahmed
- Third prize winners – Group 3: Ernestina Carboo, Lanxin Di, Guna Surya Madhasi, Sridhar Baba Morla, Rakesh Gundla
The students who won first place described their artwork as: “Favourable winds and timely rain, with stars shining brightly, a beautiful river drinks the wonders of nature and humanity together, coexisting harmoniously and complementing one another!”
“It is amazing how [Indigenous Australians] can express what they feel about their environment and surroundings where they live through symbols and art.” – Jose Rodriguez Quelopana.
