Community
Social & Community
Saturday Family Day Outings
Metro are looking at bringing back the Saturday Family Day Outings again real soon.
Movie Days
Metro again is looking at bringing back our movie days at our Redfern office to bring our elders in for some refreshments and to watch movies of their choice on the projection screen. Staff and other members of all ages come to the movie days to spend time with the elders and listen to their stories. The movies chosen by the elders such as Rabbit Proof Fence and older documentaries about the Freedom Rides and earlier struggles provide for interesting stories and give younger listeners an insight into the history of Aboriginal people. These types of programs are essential to passing on Aboriginal elders’ knowledge and are a modern expression of the Aboriginal culture of story-telling
Annual Cultural Gathering
Metro LALC are looking towards putting another Annual Cultural Gathering.
Contact Metro office on 02 8394 9666 for more details.

Past Programs
What Was Achieved in the Past
Elders’ Programs
In traditional Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal elders are given special respect by the community. Elders are the teachers of our traditions and hold the knowledge and life lessons of their communities. It is important for Metro to instil in the younger generation the important role their elders have in the Aboriginal community. Some of the programs Metro has been involved in include:
Kinchela Boys’ Journey of Healing
Metro Land Council organised a journey by ten former residents of the notorious Kinchela Boys Home back through the country they were taken from as boys. The men travelled by bus through Cowra, Mildura, Warrnambool, Cumeragunga and Moruya on their way to and from the National Sorry Day Meeting in Adelaide. More than 400 young Aboriginal boys between five and fifteen were taken from their families and sent to Kinchela Boys Home, near Kempsey between 1924 and 1971. The boys received poor education, an inadequate diet and many suffered beatings and sexual abuse. When they turned fifteen the Kinchela Boys were sent to work as rural labourers. The Aboriginal Welfare Board kept their wages which were supposed to remain in trust for them until they reached adulthood. Most never received any of their trust money
Nowra Trip
Metro organised a trip for some of our elders to Nowra. The trip provided the participants with an opportunity to get out of Sydney and take a break. Activities were scheduled for those who wished to participate but for some relaxing at the accommodation provided was enough. This program provided the elders with a chance to travel away from their homes and get together to talk amongst themselves. It is activities like these that are needed for Aboriginal elders who may be isolated from their families and the community.
Saturday Family Day Outings
For many inner-city Aboriginal families weekends are spent at home with little to do because of financial constraints and the difficulties in travelling for large families. During the spring and summer, Metro and other local Aboriginal organisations host Saturday Family Day outings for the Aboriginal community. The aim of the outings is to promote family and community togetherness, and healthy lifestyle choices. Getting families active and outdoors improves health, fitness and lowers stress. This service is particularly important given the increasing rate of diabetes and obesity in the Aboriginal community. Healthy foods and nutritional advice are provided as well as buses to transport the families to and from the Redfern area. The outings usually take place at National Parks and beaches.
Blackout Violence Campaign
Metro Land Council was one of the organisers of Blackout Violence, a campaign that used Rugby League to stamp out family violence in Aboriginal communities. The campaign received a 2004 Violence Against Women Prevention Award, presented by the then Premier, Bob Carr. According to the citation accompanying the award, the campaign made an “outstanding contribution to the prevention and reduction of violence against women in NSW.” Blackout Violence used the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout to promote an anti violence message to players and spectators. Players from 85 teams wore purple armbands to demonstrate their opposition to family violence and sexual assault against women. All participating teams were also given kits containing information on how to prevent family violence and where to seek help.