Alison and I have just had a few days in Eden, where I am involved with an exciting new venture being developed by Michael Palmer – former St. Michael’s Rector. The highlight was paddling with local families and with Michael.  Many of us recall Michael’s passion for building canoes! In Eden that passion has turned into the Eden Canoes project. With the support of a number of people from St Michael’s, the first prototype canoe-building workshop was run in 2020. Here is a documentary about it produced by a group of film students.

Following the success of the initial program, Eden Canoes received a State Government Grant (Bushfire relief – Eden was nearly destroyed in the 2018/19 bushfires) to establish Eden Canoes and run more programs in 2021 and 2022. I have been supporting the project with a consultancy designed to assist in establishing Eden Canoes as a sustainable social enterprise. As we work with community leaders we are recognising the opportunity to build an organisational style influenced by the last 60,000 years rather than just the last 225 years.

The impact the program is already having is amazing. I was particularly impressed by one 16 year-old who told me in a matter of fact way about his very challenging home situation. He talked about the impact of the program. The achievement of building, decorating and paddling canoes is giving him confidence and a better connection with his culture.  The project is helping turn around stereotypes of Aboriginal people as all being drunks or druggies, and it is building pathways to future employment.

We had planned to run a community consultation last week, but it was postponed because of Covid. However I found it incredibly valuable and encouraging to be able to chat with local business and community leaders, and participants on the project, all of whom are 100% supportive. Here are some snaps from a happy session.

If you would like to know more about the project, and even how you might support it, please contact me.

Michael and families getting ready to paddle

Ending up with a sausage sizzle

Pastor Ossie Cruse from the Eden Aboriginal Church

Andrew doing stakeholder engagement