Category: Art, Sport & Education

Central Sydney High School refugee students were thrilled to be invited to enter a Creative Expression Competition initiated by the Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association. Their President, Vittoria Pasquini attended the school where she met with the school’s Deputy Principal, Kathie Power, Head Teacher Wellbeing, Kylie Stamos and Student Support Officer, Elizabeth Weblin to discuss the concept of the competition.

Students were then invited to compose a creative piece on the theme of “The Journey” such as a story, a diary, a poem, a music piece with lyrics, a video with a script or an artwork to express their idea of a journey which could be a physical journey, an emotional journey, a fantasy or a fictional journey. They were supported by the school’s Ukrainian speaking School Learning and Support Officer, Anastasiya Shefer who provided first language assistance.

Students also learned about Valerio’s journey and read extracts from his diaries and travel journals.

Students worked hard during the term to compose an engaging piece that showed how their journey impacted their lives. Ten entries were submitted and a panel of staff was formed to select the winning entries. All students were acknowledged for their efforts and were presented with certificates by Vittoria Pasquini and Coordinator of the Refugee Group, Charity Haynes who attended the school on Wednesday 5 April. Four students were also presented with vouchers to the sum of $1000 as their entries were judged as outstanding – three students received $300 and one student a $100 voucher.

The school librarian, Chris Murphy was also very pleased to be able to add to the school’s library collection, Valerio Daniel De Simoni’s diaries, Real Love for the Turning World and his Travel Journals, kindly donated to the school by the association.

The school wholeheartedly thanks Vittoria Pasquini and the Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association for their generous support of our school’s refugee students.

Written by Deputy Principal, Kathie Power

Below is reproduced one of the winning entries:

                                                                           My travel to Lviv

It was October… A great time to travel! Someone say that autumn is a time of boredom and depression, but if you do not get bored at home, but spend an interesting time, then no blues will even come close!

It is a beautiful city located in the west of Ukraine. The incredible atmosphere of Lviv attracts tourists from all over the world. It is considered one of the largest and most unique cities in our country. Lviv deserves the title of the cultural capital of Ukraine. The city owes its majestic name to King Danylo Halytskyi, who named it in honor of his son Lev. It is no coincidence that the sculpture of the king of beasts is often found on the facades of buildings and cultural heritage, as Lviv is also called the city of the Lion.

In the center of Lviv’s square is the town hall, guarded by stone lions. There are very beautiful fountains on the sides. The city has many architectural treasures, and there are monuments everywhere, unfortunately already restored. The walls of ordinary houses are decorated in the Baroque style, which to this day retain the imprint of the past. Walking through the streets of Lviv, you imagine that you have returned to another century and live according to their customs.

I started my acquaintance with Lviv with its business card, the Solomiya Krushelnytska National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. It is the theater that is depicted on the 20-hryvnia bill. I even took a picture with the 20! It was a lot of fun!

After the theater, I went to the Lviv Historical Museum.

I thought it would be very boring, but thanks to a cheerful guide it was fun, the time passed quickly and I learned a lot new things.                                                                                                                                                               

Then I visited another museum – the Pharmacy Museum “Under the Black Sky”. I was very interested to see the pharmacy exhibits, and I remember the pharmaceutical scales the most. Then I walked around the city and looked at incredibly beautiful buildings, churches and cathedrals. I liked the Dominican Monastery, the Armenian Cathedral and the Church of Saints Olga and Elizabeth.

I found myself in the heart of the city, on Rynok Square. It is extremely colorful here! Of course, I went up to the City Hall. The view of Lviv from the Town Hall is just incredible! It took my breath away from this beauty!I decided to have lunch in the famous Lviv Croissants and I was not mistaken with my choice – they are extremely tasty! I chose a sweet croissant with raspberries and mint – I really liked the unexpected combination of sweet raspberries and fresh mint! Next, I visited the Italian Courtyard. It’s very beautiful there! I took an incredible amount of photos! And then I went to the Vernissage market and bought a lot of souvenirs! In the evening, I went to the “High Castle” mountain. It was quite difficult to climb – I was already a bit tired, and the climb was quite steep. But from the top I could see an incredible panorama of Lviv! I also managed to see a magical sunset! In the evening, I warmed up with hot chocolate at the Lviv Chocolate Workshop, another delicious place in Lviv.

The atmosphere in Lviv is unique. Every street and square speaks of the beauty and majesty of this city.

There are many cathedrals, museums, and galleries in Lviv.

I spent the whole day wandering around the city, visiting each of them.

And the evening was simply unforgettable… I walked around the city in the evening, forgetting about all my worries and anxieties. Throughout the walk I was accompanied by the bright glow of the moon.

This trip to Lviv will never be forgotten… It was amazing.

On October 16 at the Wanderers Football Park in Sydney a friendly soccer match between newly arrived young Afghani refugees and an Italian Australian soccer team was played.
VDSA sponsored the game together with the Massoud Foundation, Amnesty International, Filef, Comites, NSW Government and Grandmothers for Refugees.
It is the second match VDSA has sponsored to provide support for the Afghani refugees and their community and promote multiculturalism.
Sport plays an important role in helping to overcome traumas, and the spirited match demonstrated how positive energy and healthy competition can emerge from even a friendly match.

By Vittoria Pasquini
Since its foundation almost 10 years ago, VDSA has been committed to the improvement of the lives and wellbeing of Indigenous youth. We know that there is still a lot to do in Australia to close the gap between non-Indigenous population and First People and that the reconciliation process is slow. We are a small Association with limited resources and volunteer members but we strongly believe that every act of kindness and every opportunity contribute to the well-being of Indigenous youth. Each small donation counts towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and we believe we all have a responsibility to reduce it. In the course of the years The Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association has had the opportunity to show support to Indigenous youth by way of providing:
– Drama workshops to assist youth at risk of leaving school and becoming alienated from their culture, and video courses at Alexandria Park Community School
– Offering free psychotherapy sessions
– Facilitating inspirational workshops for WEAVE’s Culture and Personal Development Camp attended by Aboriginal youth
– Partnering with WEAVE on the introduction to Permaculture & Rooftop Garden, a course which is part of WEAVE’s Step Up Learning Program, which aims to assist young Indigenous people to re-enter mainstream education, training or employment
– Partnering with Marrickville Youth Resource Centre on Aboriginal Art & Outreach
– Partnering with Marrickville Youth Resource Centre and Connect Marrickville on Yarn N’Arts & Aboriginal Art & Outreach offering facilitated art workshops for indigenous youth and families
– Collaborated with Jarjum College in the provision of a soccer training program for students (Research has found that sport helps reduce violence, keeps Indigenous youth out of serious trouble and is essential to counter the moral despair of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
– Donating organic fresh vegetables from VDSA organic vegetable garden in Bronte weekly to the to The Jarjum College, Redfern and to the Redfern Community Centre.
VDSA is acting locally but we members of the Association are thinking globally. We know for example that Australia is the only nation in the whole world without a Treaty with its First People who are still not recognised in the Australian Constitution.
We hope that the Yolngu word of Makarrata (coming together after a struggle, facing the facts of wrongs and living in peace again) which is embedded in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, will have an impact in the recognition of Aboriginal peoples’ rightful place in Australia.

In 2019 VDSA partnered with Redfern Jarjum College support to a Term 3 soccer training program for students. “While challenging at times, the kids really enjoyed playing as a team. Learning how to play within the rules and navigating the emotions of winning/losing is really important for these kids” said one of Jarjum College teachers. Research has found that sport helps reduce violence, keeps Indigenous Youth out of serious trouble and is essential to counter the moral despair of Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Redfern Jarjum College
rjc.nsw.edu.au

VDSA is proud to support and assist with this art education program for indigenous youth disconnected from family and culture and experiencing distress, misfortune and helplessness.

The program is managed by Marrickville Youth Resource (MYRC) Centre and Connect Marrickville’s Aboriginal Art and Outreach Program, with VDSA President Vittoria Pasquini attending the launch of the Program exhibition ‘Yarn N Arts’ at Boomalli Gallery in Leichhardt on October 30.

The exhibition includes a showcase of artworks named ‘Community’ which were created by indigenous youth and families over the course of three workshops facilitated by indigenous elder Marlene Phillips and her mentee Hazel Robinson at The Settlement in Redfern, Marrickville Connect community and MYRC.

MYRC’s Aboriginal Art and Outreach Program is part of an outreach strategy to assist in promoting casework and engagement to community services with indigenous communities in the inner west.

MYRC Aboriginal Art Program

Connect Marrickville

Boomalli Gallery