Kambu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health (Kambu Health) which operates in Goodna and Ipswich, has made history by becoming the first Indigenous group to be awarded the prestigious Viva Cribb Bursary.
This annual bursary, first awarded in 2008, provides up to $5,000 to fund projects focused on significant aspects of Ipswich’s local history, in honour of former historian Viva Cribb.
Ipswich City Council Community and Sport Committee Chairperson councillor Jacob Madsen announced that Kambu Health received the bursary for their project “Footprints of Resilience: Tracing Ipswich’s Indigenous Heritage.”
The project aims to create a video documenting the early history of Ipswich, highlighting interactions between Aboriginal and European communities, and featuring current Elders sharing their stories.
“An Indigenous community group receiving the Viva Cribb Bursary is particularly important for us as a community as we continue our shared journey towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Ipswich,” Cr Madsen said.
“This project will bring all of Ipswich’s residents closer together by showing a part of life in our city that many have not seen or considered before. This project has the potential to be another significant step towards reconciliation for us all.”
The video will incorporate archival footage, historical documents, interviews, and visual reconstructions to create a narrative appealing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Once completed, the video will be available for viewing on the Picture Ipswich website.
Kambu spokesperson and Chief Executive Officer Ms Simone Jackson highlighted the project’s significance in preserving and celebrating Kambu Health’s role in the community.
Established in 1976, Kambu Health has played a vital part in the health and well-being of the local Indigenous population.
“This video will not only serve as a valuable educational resource, but also as a means of preserving and celebrating the role played by Kambu Health in the community’s health and well-being,” Ms. Jackson said.
“The project will strive to present a balanced perspective, emphasising authenticity and accuracy to acknowledge both the triumphs and challenges faced by different groups throughout Ipswich’s history.”
To ensure the project’s success, Kambu Health has enlisted the expertise of local Indigenous business TVO Media Video Productions for technical assistance.
