Wuchopperen Health Service’s Tuesday Playgroup welcomed exciting visitors this week. Renowned Indigenous storyteller and author, Victor Steffensen and the team from Bulkaway Muruku.

Victor Steffensen, an Indigenous writer, filmmaker and musician who applies traditional knowledge, bringing it to life through culturally uplifting and educational picture books.

He is a descendant of the Tagalaka people through his mother’s connections from the Gulf Country of north Queensland.

For the past 27 years, Victor has worked within the arts community, reviving traditional knowledge values, particularly traditional burning, working with Aboriginal communities and many non-Indigenous Australians.

Victor’s morning with the Wuchopperen’s Children and Families Centre included the team from Bulkaway Muruku. A fun and very musical morning was spent singing and reading from Victor’s two picture books, The Trees and Looking After Country with Fire.

Looking After Country with Fire introduces us to Uncle Kuu, as he takes us out on Country and explains the importance of cultural burning and its significance in keeping Country flourishing and thriving.

Victor’s second book, The Trees is a beautify picture book about caring for Country with respect for Indigenous knowledge.

Both of Victor’s books are beautifully illustrated by Sandra Steffensen and feature lyrics to songs specifically written to match each story.

Nichole Ware, Coordinator of Wuchopperen’s Children and Family Centre was thrilled with the morning. “The kids and their parents loved the experience.”

“Victor’s stories and love for Country captures the imagination of the kids and really helps them to understand. Understanding Culture is a lifelong journey, and when it starts with Victor’s stories you know the kids will embrace the idea and be richer for the experience.”

Wuchopperen Health Service runs three Playgroup sessions each week.  Each Tuesday at the Manoora Children and Family Centre, Thursday morning at Hambledon House in Edmonton and each Friday morning at Cairns West Primary School.

For more detail, contact Wuchopperen Children and Family Centre, ph: 4080 1159.