QTU Yarning Circle
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 1, 16 February, page no. 12
As part of the QTU Library's recent renovations, space was set aside to create a Yarning Circle. Throughout 2023, the space was slowly pulled together, culminating in an opening event and smoking ceremony that took place at the start of November.
Yarning circles are places to talk, share, discuss, educate, and yarn, and have been used for thousands of years.
The main piece of furniture used in the QTU space is from Madji Furniture, a local Indigenous-owned and run furniture company, which also has a focus on employing women.
The space is filled with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artefacts. A dhari (headdress) was sourced from Mua Island in the Torres Strait (created by Koedal artist Thomas Pedro), framed, and mounted on the wall, along with a shield from Far North Queensland (created by Gimuy Walubara Yidinji man, Hendrick Fourmile). A didgeridoo was donated by principal and Gandu Jarjum member Preston Parter, and the 1993 G.A. Daughtrey Art Bequest, Snake Vine Dreaming by Ngalyipi Jukurrpa, was also moved into the space.
The most significant piece of artwork are the two pillars in the space, painted by Gandu Jarjum Chair Amanda Power. The pillar closest to the door is called “Our Lands”, an artwork members should be familiar with, as it is frequently used by the QTU. The newer artwork, on the pillar closest to the window, is titled “Gandu Jarjum Dreaming”, and shows the totems of Gandu Jarjum members. Amanda hand-painted both pillars over a week during the September school holidays.
The Yarning Circle was officially opened on 3 November. This date was chosen as it was the day before the last State Council of the year, which meant that all QTU employees and many members from around the state who would not typically be in Brisbane could attend. We were treated to a Welcome to Country and dance performance from Yugara Dancers, and the QTU building was smoked. First Nations peoples conduct smoking ceremonies to cleanse people and places of bad spirits. Given that the Milton office was previously a police building, this was very much overdue!