Aboriginal programs
The 1970s represented a new era of hope for Aboriginal people who had previously been denied an education. Government support and incentives saw the creation of special Aboriginal programs. In Midland the large Noongar community, and strong community interest resulted in Midland Technical School being chosen for Aboriginal programs.
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What was one of the first Aboriginal colleges
established in Perth was relocated to 
Midland’s old classrooms in 1978.
Students, Joyce Irwin and Coralee Willcocks (who later became Midland’s
Aboriginal Support Officer) were instrumental in bringing the Aboriginal Access
program to Midland Technical School along with Coordinator, Jim Sieler. A range
of classes were offered including Maths, English, Sewing, Aboriginal Studies,
Health and First Aid. The course allowed for flexibility and student
involvement. Students could enrol at any time and the student body held regular
meetings and organised fundraising events for outings. In one instance they
raised $1000.00 for a trip to Rottnest for lunch and back again the same day.
River cruises were another favourite as were regular sports days. Students
printed tee shirts for sports days where hundreds of people from country
colleges such as Bunbury, Narrogin and Northam competed.
Students had the opportunity of taking part in special trade orientated subjects including Woodwork, Mechanics and Fitting and Machining.
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Metal Fabrication students. Photo's courtesy Ian Freeman-Smith |
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Art classes were conducted and a group of students lead
by Julie Clampbert set up a number of displays of students’ leather
work, sewing, ceramics and art. Art was such a popular subject
that the student
body began to moot the idea of setting up a Diploma of Aboriginal Visual Arts.
They felt that mainstream courses could not properly accommodate Aboriginal
cultural and educational needs. Their position was strengthened by the fact that
Aboriginal art represented 50% of the economic value of Australia’s visual
arts. In 1995 a ‘training needs analysis’ involving many representatives
from Aboriginal organisations and community groups set the parameters for what
was to become the Diploma of Aboriginal Visual Arts. Prominent Aboriginal
artist, Shane Pickett, lead a team of writers to produce a course centred around
‘identity’, ‘the Noongar cultural seasonal cycle’ and ‘ethical
responsibilities for Aboriginal artists’.
Although it was designed for Noongar people, the course allowed alternative content representing other regions to be substituted. In 2000 the Diploma of Aboriginal Visual Arts was nominated as a finalist in the Premier’s Awards.
Graduates can undertake an Advanced Diploma. A number of these students have successfully tendered for several public art commissions in the local region. Themes have been developed from those in the Aboriginal Visual Arts course. Students have had the assistance of their lecturers as mentors, to work through the processes of designing, budgeting, tendering, client liaison and construction. Since that time several graduates including Yvonne Websdale have undertaken other significant public art commissions.
