Shalom Family Church holds trips connecting First Nations youth with country

A Townsville church is helping develop future First Nation’s leaders in the community through a mentoring program, with support from a not-for-profit organisation.

The Mentoring Project participants enjoyed a five-day road trip north to Yarrabah Aboriginal community.

A Townsville church is helping develop future First Nation’s leaders in the community through a mentoring program, with support from a not-for-profit organisation.

Shalom Family Church recently held one of their youth camp trips, hoping to immerse the young participants in cultural experiences and adventures.

Pastor Andy Bollom said the church, which began in 2021, now has a community of more than 70 people with a majority of come from First Nations backgrounds.

The Mentoring Project participants observe a welcome to country smoking ceremony in Paluma Rainforest, on Nywaigi country.

The church runs The Mentoring Project, which aims to help 20 First Nations youth who have experience family violence, suffered some financial hardships or are socially isolated or disadvantaged.

The cultural and faith based program provides mentoring, employment oppourtunties and self development activities, and each term holds a youth camp for participants aged between 10 and 17 years.

As part of Shalom Family Church’s The Mentoring Project, a young person digs for red ochre on Nywaigi rainforest country.

“So far we have swum in and explored Alligator Creek, hiked Yunbenun (Magnetic Island) and hunted on Nywaigi country near Ingham,” he said.

“We foraged through mangroves and cooked our catch on hot coals.”

In December the program held a five-day road trip to Yarrbah Aborigional Community to meet the community and take part in their Christmas event.

Mr Bollom said the two main influences for the project are Jesus and land rights activist Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo, and that he hopes participants draw inspiration from them.

“He [Mabo] was one man who overcame a disadvantaged background and much adversity yet changed the landscape of our nation for First Nations peoples,” Andy said.

“If one man can change part of nation, we are aiming to walk alongside 20 young men and women who could be a part of the healing and transforming of our nation’s future.”

Originally published as Shalom Family Church holds trips connecting First Nations youth with country