While COVID-19 has ended many events recently, one group refused to let a pandemic stand in the way of an annual Indigenous camp.
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The Indigenous Digital Excellence (IDX) team, from the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE), were quick to organise a virtual camp instead.
The result: a true celebration of Indigenous digital excellence, culture and connection.
Over 30 participants across 11 regional and remote communities took part in the inaugural 'IDX Virtual Gathering'.
Of these, five were from Tamworth, including Gomeroi mother and daughter Jodie Herden and Tess Reading.
Hitting that extra special note, Ms Reading was able to see her daughter, a IDX team member, present for the first time.
"It's been an absolutely amazing week," Ms Reading enthused.
"I've always been in awe of Tess and all the stuff she can do."
The camp proved to be a kind of rekindling for Ms Herden.
"This week has renewed the excitement in me." she said.
"Learning so many new skills. I'm excited about the potential of what I can do and where I can take this."
This week has renewed the excitement in me.
- Jodie Herden
The annual camp is usually hosted at the NCIE in Redfern, and is a chance for community champions to connect, share knowledge, and gain new skills to take back to their communities.
These IDX Champions are Elders, teachers, community service workers, parents and entrepreneurs based in the communities we visit.
IDX Manager Grant Cameron said the camp is always an event everyone looks forward to.
"The situation as a result of COVID-19 has been difficult, and for many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities it has had a significant impact," he said.
Respected Gamilaroi Elder, educator, mentor and businesswoman Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo took part in the virtual sessions and hadn't done anything like it before, but she loved it.
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She co-facilitated the 'My Big Idea Workshop' alongside Adelle Laing from Global Sisters offering business advice and mentoring to the participants.
"Coming from the background I am coming from I am so proud of the all of the changes," Aunty Beryl said.
"Modern technology is the way for us to keep going and keep connected."