Raising awareness

1st July 2009

Codey Warhurst

LOCAL indigenous children have been working on their art to say no to smoking, through workshops with local indigenous health worker Gordon Browning.

The results of these workshops will be shown in an exhibition at the Gympie Regional Gallery from June 30 to July 26. The exhibition is titled Smoke Free Zone, and coincides with 2009 NAIDOC Week celebrations.

The theme for 2009 NAIDOC Week is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing our Youth, which complements the exhibition perfectly.

The art workshops were part of a bigger program through Queensland Health as a multi-strategy response to tobacco smoking.

Earlier in the year the group undertook dance workshops, which resulted in them dancing at the Mary River Festival in March.

The program promotes a positive attitude towards a smoke-free lifestyle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Mr Browning said the program was aimed at indigenous Queenslanders in an effort to reduce the harm caused by tobacco smoking.

“The program raises awareness and understanding of tobacco smoking issues, and promotes a positive attitude towards a smoke-free way of life,” Mr Browning said.

Smoke Free Zone will officially open at Gympie Regional Gallery on Wednesday, July 15, at 3.30pm. Afternoon tea provided.