More than five years ago, Aurora thought that there was a real need to develop a practical, interactive, and enjoyable learning tool to further advance an understanding of Reconciliation for use in schools, post secondary and tertiary institutions, the workplace (whether private, public or non government sectors), by families or the general community. This need became clear as Aurora worked with students in the three states Wiltja programme. Research commenced. Aurora and Gabrielle were further convinced that an interactive game that could assist learning was needed after the massively successful Bridge walks of 2000. As we walked across the Torrens in the Adelaide Bridge walk, we thought: “we just can’t let this spirit die!” So began the journey that has taken us to where we are today.
Research from numerous sources, discussions with numerous people and we were well on our way. The first crude prototype was taken to our patent lawyers Collision and Company, who commenced the process of applying for a patent and protecting the intellectual property. We did this so no-one could steal the idea and produce a game that did not respect cultural sensitivity nor Indigenous input. From the very beginning, we were committed to consulting widely, at every step of the developmental process. We met with Ms. Jackie Huggins (who has continued to be our inspiration and champion for the project) and Reconciliation Australia (RA) and both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit of the University of Queensland (UQ) and Reconciliation Australia supported the project. Mr. Michael Williams, Director of the Unit (UQ) arranged for the staff to participate in consultation and playing the game. Thanks to Michael, Jackie, and Mr. Jason Glanville (Reconciliation Australia), we were given a small grant to finalise content, initial production prototype and legal protections. Ms. Marianne Pinnington (RA) has given so much practical assistance to us over the last two years.
We presented to community groups, to the Weemala Unit of the Australian Catholic University. As feedback suggested we use the map “Aboriginal Australia’ in the game, we sought permission from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra. AIATSIS gave their approval for the use of the map in the game. By now we were up to the third version of the game.
We conducted focus groups with community representatives, elders, students, teachers, lecturers, professionals - which resulted in the fourth prototype. This consultation through focus groups occurred for over a year. Every critical piece of feedback was included in the final production version of the game.
We incorporated the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands flags in the game design. We incorporated several ‘rules’ into the game – including the application of sorry, a treaty and cultural sensitivity. We designed the game so that individuals or teams could play. We ensured that one of the rules of the game is that participants must co-operate; and therefore the game does not finish until everyone has built The Bridge. Thus the game is about co-operation and support – learning together.
We presented to AIATSIS, Reconciliation Australia, and at the Annual General Meeting of Reconciliation Queensland Incorporated. We presented to Professor Judy Atkinson and her staff at Gnibi, Southern Cross University at Lismore. Professor Atkinson has written in glowing terms of her support for The Bridge Towards Reconciliation as a healing and learning tool.
We liaised with the South Australian Department of Education and Childrens Services, Aboriginal Studies Review Committee, which devoted more than ten working days reviewing the learning tool and making suggestions to further enhance the questions and answers. We are so grateful for their input. The final version of the learning tool reflects their input and advice, and it is so much the better for the experience. We wish to record our public thanks to Ms Adele Pring and Ms Dorothy Wanganeen and all their staff for their invaluable advice and assistance.
We met with the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation in the South Australian Government, Mr. Terry Roberts MLC, and the Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (and the 2005 Educator of the Year, Deadly Awards winner), Mr. Peter Buckskin, who put their weight behind the project. With the assistance of Reconciliation South Australia, and importantly the tireless work of Tricia Garnett and Troy-Anthony Baylis the first government order was placed. Thank you so much Tricia and Troy. We wish to publicly express our gratitude to Minister Roberts and Mr. Buckskin for their belief in us and the project, and most importantly for making it possible to have the learning tool produced. Without them, The Bridge Towards Reconciliation would have remained just another “good idea”. Ms Shirley Peasley AM also put in her support, as did the tireless work behind the scenes by Ms Cheryl Axleby. Thank you so much Shirley and Cheryl. There are so many people to thank. This support reassured us that we were doing something that was supported, welcomed and needed. This has given us great heart.
The Australian Associations of Primary and Secondary Schools Principals from State, Independent and Catholic Schools’programme: Dare To Lead supported the learning tool, and recommended it as a reconciliation resource to schools, by posting it on their website. Dare To Lead directly mailed out order forms to all their school constituents. We wish to say “thank you so much” to Ms Andrea Harmes for her support.
The journey that took us from the bridge walk in 2000 to producing the learning tool has been an extraordinary one. It has changed our lives.
We hope that everyone who plays the game enjoys doing so and learns. We hope that our objectives in developing the game are met. We both know that this is only a small contribution to the successful achievement of Reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, but as the song goes “From little things, Big Things Grow”.
Aurora Panozzo and Gabrielle Walsh
For more information about Reconciliation, visit the Reconciliation Australia website.
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For additional information about The Bridge, email us at info@therbridge.com.
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