'Samson and Delilah' Fundraising Movie Screening

On the 29th of April Ngwala Willumbong Co-Operative LTD and YSAS in conjunction with Footprint films and Cinema Nova, Carlton held a fundraising screening of ‘Samson and Delilah’, the highly successful feature film directed by Warwick Thornton.

“Samson & Delilah is a film of delicate simplicity and gut-wrenching power, a love story between two Aboriginal teenagers that transcends race politics and announces a filmmaker of rare talent and skill.” Paul Kalina, The Age

More than 170 guests attended the event and as a result raised almost $2,500 to support the Koori Youth Alcohol & Drug Healing Service (KYA&DHS).

The interim KYA&DHS is a six-bed, statewide residential youth rehabilitation service for young Koori people. It is based on the Mornington Peninsula and is the first service of its kind in Australia. A 12 bed permanent facility is due for completion in September 2010

The funds will be used by the KYA&DHS for the purchase of blank didgeridoos which are to be given to individual male residents for their personal use. The young men who receive the didgeridoos will be encouraged to personally decorate the instruments through wood burning and learn how to play them.

A similar program is being planned for the young female residents

Engagement in the arts (and in this case culturally relevant practices) has long been accepted by treatment programs as an important therapeutic tool for use in conjunction with more specific clinical services. We have found the inclusion of artistic activities to be an important aspect of treating young people with multiple and complex needs, as it provides a great mechanism for self expression and cultural connection.

YSAS received extremely positive feedback from event attendees. Many were moved by the film’s storyline, and took time to talk with KYA&DHS representatives after the film.

KYA&DHS is available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people throughout Victoria irrespective of their individual cultural practices, spiritual beliefs and geographic region. The service aims to give residents tools for lasting change.