Visit to Taree: Cultural Strengthening – Aboriginal Family History Workshop

“Interesting & powerful” – is how one of the participants described the recent family history workshop that Indigenous Services team members Kirsten Thorpe and Melissa Jackson conducted in the riverside town of Taree. Over 35 community members attended the workshop, which was facilitated by Tracey Anderson (Aboriginal Liaison Officer for Greater Taree City Council) at the Manning Valley Library.

During the session, Kirsten and Melissa highlighted the various resources in multiple formats that the participants could use to help them research their Aboriginal family history.  Participants were introduced to many aspects of carrying out research using the Library and other collections. This included having access to information from the Family History Research Guide, which was developed by Indigenous Services drawing from many years of practical experience in the reading rooms and answering many information requests. 

In a bonus session, Kirsten and Melissa also shared the various language revival initiatives undertaken by the Library.

Image: Participants of the Family History Workshop at Manning Valley Library - Taree.