The Barrinang Inc. ‘Wambinya Buram-Buram Bang’ project was developed to promote mental health and wellbeing in the Lithgow community by offering activities such as art classes with Wiradjuri artists, an on country cultural experience and writing workshops to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider community.
One of the highlights included a Possum Skin Workshop which was held during Naidoc week 2020. The workshop encouraged members of the community to come together to participate in craft activities with the main activity being the 'Possum Skin Cloak Making' experience. Under the guidance of Aunty Diane Pirotta and Leanne Windle, the making of the cloak was a collaborative effort involving a diverse range of participants from the community including school aged children through to their 80s.
Project Lead, Karen Brown, said practising age old crafts soothes the mind and assists people to heal, while creating an informal support network and reducing isolation within the community.
"This project enabled the coming together of community to learn a significant cultural skill and to build community connections," she said.
