04 Jan The Triballink Activity Centre
Hidden amongst the natural bush settings and rainforest of QCCC Mapleton’s property, the Triballink Activity Centre is taking shape. For thousands of years Aboriginal people from many miles around came to the Blackall Range during the bumper fruiting seasons of the Bunya tree for a time of feasting, story-telling and conflict resolution. Baroon Pocket was a place of plenty and the Jinibara people welcomed people from near and far to share in their good fortune. As Determined Native Title Claimants for the Blackall Range the Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation (JPAC) extend their welcome to the rainforest playground of QCCC Mapleton to all people.
What it is:
Triballink Activity Centre is an educational precinct set aside for experiential Outdoor Education focussed on the cross-curriculum priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and Environmental Sustainability.
Based around a 100-seat undercover auditorium the Triballink will offer amazing experiences and cultural learning outcomes:
- Walkabout a pristine rainforest property and sample bushfood while learning about traditional land management techniques;
- Enjoy dance, didge and song through the day or under the stars at night;
- Immerse yourself in a traditional family setting and learn the honed survival skills from the people who have thrived on the world’s harshest continent;
- Learn about Aboriginal perspectives on their interaction and cooperation with other cultures from history and today;
- Be challenged to see major historical events from an Aboriginal worldview.
- Get hands-on with Aboriginal Art and Craft options.
When is it coming?
Activities will commence to be offered from the Triballink Activity Centre during Term 2, 2018. In the meantime Goombuckar Creations’ Cultural Bus can still be booked for activities and performances on the QCCC Mapleton property.
For more details:
Contact: QCCC Mapleton or Goombuckar Creations
For more information visit the Triballink Activity Centre information page.
What’s been said:
Jinibara Elders at QCCC Mapleton
“For thousands of years Aboriginal people from many miles around came to the Blackall Range during the bumper fruiting seasons of the Bunya tree for a time of feasting, story-telling and conflict resolution. Baroon Pocket was a place of plenty and the Jinibara people welcomed people from near and far to share in their good fortune.” JPAC elder Uncle Ken Murphy
“As a Kabi Kabi man I am so happy the Jinibara people continue their proud heritage of welcoming all people to their country. Australian society is making progress on issues of recognition and reconciliation. The Prime Minister who made the formal apology to the Stolen Generations grew up so close to here, and his gesture of reconciliation, hope and understanding is one we want to continue here in Mapleton. I’m so excited to find a place for these activities and a hopefully large audience to provide it to.” Goombuckar’s Kerry Neill
“Schools and community groups highly value camps and Outdoor Education because it gets them away from the routine of the everyday for a memorable community experience. When you think about it, what we are trying to offer here has a lot of similarity to the Bunya festival – feasting, story-telling, team-building and conflict resolution. JPAC received native title determination over this area in 2012 so their input, relationship and agreement for our onsite cultural activities is a significant endorsement.” QCCC’s Director Andrew Grant
Established in 1983 QCCC Mapleton is one of Queensland’s largest Outdoor Education Centres, partnering with 200 schools and a further 100 church and community groups annually. An initiative of Queensland Baptists, QCCC has been operating camp venues and Outdoor Education in Queensland since 1927, making them one of the pioneers of the local industry.