Blackwater high school students embark on cultural learning experience for Yarbun Rhunga

A group of Blackwater high school students took part in Yarbun Rhunga, or Learning Day, with the help of proud Ghungalu man Milton Lawton. Check out photos from the day:

A group of 25 Blackwater State High School Students took part in Yarbun Rhunga, or Learning Day, with the help of Ghungalu man Milton Lawton.

Mr Lawton shared his wisdom with the Indigenous students and Coronado Global Resources’ Curragh mine staff during the event earlier this month.

Queensland Resources Council director of skills, education and diversity Katrina-Lee Jones said the program was tailor-made alongside Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy, the educational branch of the QRC.

“We are privileged to have proud Ghungalu man Milton Lawton lead (the) learning experience, sharing his traditional knowledge of the area by passing on cultural and environmental history to the next generation,” she said.

Proud Ghungalu man Milton Lawton led the Yarbun Rhunga on Wednesday, 2 November, 2022.

“Now in its second year and offered exclusively to local Indigenous students, Yarbun Rhunga helps these young men and women draw stronger connections between cultural heritage values and the resources sector.”

Blackwater State High School principal Rebecca Godfrey said that day gave students a chance to connect with culture while gaining insight into potential future career paths for themselves.

“Excursions like this with real-world applications allow these young students to start thinking about relevant tertiary education or training after school,” Ms Godfrey said.

“It’s also a great chance for them to hear first-hand from someone like Milton with deep connections to the land,” Ms Godfrey said.

Coronado Global Resources chief people and sustainability officer Emma Pollard said staff were able to talk to students about the rewards of a possible future career in mining.

“This was an excellent opportunity for some of our local employees to talk about their own career pathways and professional experiences,” Ms Pollard said.

“The group was excited to see some pretty impressive machinery, helping them understand how exciting local community job opportunities, like operators, support the mining industry.”

A group of First Nations Blackwater State High School students spent a day learning about their cultural heritage and mining skills from Coronado Global Resources Curragh mine.