AIDEN’S AIMS FOR CHANGE
Originally inspired by his Year 4 teacher, John Paul College student Aiden Barr has spearheaded a push towards awareness of indigenous cultures and the Close The Gap program
A GOLD Coast student is hoping to help close the gap with an inaugural Indigenous Round this week.
Aiden Barr, 12, has organised the event at the Ormeau Junior Rugby League Club, hoping to gather donations for several organisations.
The John Paul College student got the idea for the day several years ago, when Year 4 teacher Kiana Charlton shared her own indigenous history with her students.
New Zealander mum Louise Barr said it was the start of a passion that caught her off guard.
“The other reason he wants to do this is to show people you don’t have to be famous to do something worthwhile, that everyone can make a change for the better,” she said.
“And that just sums up Aiden to a tee. We do talk about fairness and kindness in our family but this has come from Aiden, it’s him.
“It’s important to him that everyone gets a fair go, that everyone’s treated equally. It’s important we change racism in Australian culture.”
The day is in honour of the Close The Gap campaign, which wants indigenous Australians to be given the same access to healthcare as their nonIndigenous peers.
The money raised from the raffle prizes, bake stalls and an online GoFundMe page will be donated to the indigenous Literacy Foundation.
They’re also urging people to donate rugby league equipment to be passed on to
Boots for kids, an organisation which collects gear for kids in remote areas.
For Aiden, who plays in the undr-13 grade, the day is a project years in the making.
“About three or four months ago I started to come up with the idea to push on and do something to raise awareness for indigenous cultures. It was also to raise awareness of Close The Gap and how separate in funding and education (indigenous and nonindigenous people) really are.
“It mainly started when I was in Year 4 and my teacher would tell me and my class about the Stolen Generation and her indigenous culture.”
“That’s really what sparked my ideas and want to do something like this.” Aiden was eager to get information and support from a variety of sources, among them local Yugambeh elder Brian Williams. “It’s to make people aware that there’s a lot of indigenous people in sport,” Mr Williams said. “There’s no class distinction, all the kids play, and regardless of what cultural background you come from you can get on the field and be the same.
“You put the same jerseys on and you’re all the same team, and that’s the key word. It’s a team effort, not a single effort.
“He wanted to know about the traditional and correct ways as far as protocol goes so I helped him with that.”
The jerseys designed for the round (above) were created by Michaela Williams, a local indigenous artist. After the round they will be auctioned off to raise further funds.
“He’s this little kid with Kiwi parents talking about indigenous Australians,” Mr Williams said.
“But I didn’t criticise him, no matter what he wanted to ask I told him to just be open, don’t be embarrassed or think I’m going to be offended. He’s got his head screwed on right.”