Pastor Russell Saunders OAM
Biripi Elder in Residence at Taree Highschool
What’s your connection to the MidCoast?
I am a proud Biripi Man. I grew up in Taree with my 9 siblings. Our family, the Saunders family, has always had a very strong connection with Country and Culture here, and we have been strong advocates for our people. In my life I have been (and still am) a local artist, pastor, teacher and mentor for youth. I’ve been working with the local Purfleet Aboriginal Lands Council, TAFE and the Department of Education travelling to local schools. Now I am Elder in Residence at Taree High School and work at Taree and Tinonee Public schools too. I teach Biripi culture and Gathang language programs, on Country and in the classroom, as well as art. I’m also part of the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and the School Reference Group for Taree Highschool.
Why TUC? What does this project mean to you?
My mother Faith Saunders was one of the first Aboriginal Education Officers in the Manning. The work I have been doing with local school kids and youth for the past 40 years was influenced by her and means a lot to me. I want to continue to encourage young people, to guide them and help them know the importance of connecting to Country and keeping that connection going. I love to see young Aboriginal people gaining the confidence to celebrate and uphold their culture. I hope TUC will help our people stay on Country so they can keep our beautiful culture and community strong and be proud of who we are, while at the same time having access and being supported to get a good education. I hope it will help them realise their dreams of what they want to be in this world today.
What does success look like for you and TUC?
When I found my love of art it opened the world up for me. I left school at a young age. Through art I was able to find creativity and a better way for me to learn. I also found meaning and a reason to learn, outside of school, as an adult, in my spiritual calling to be a pastor. Spirituality in both my religion and culture give depth, dimension, and richness to my life. Understanding different learning needs, and how to be supportive for Aboriginal students, has motivated me to work to improve the school experience for Aboriginal kids locally. Success for me is achievement of shared goals, helping each other and overcoming obstacles together. TUC will be a success if it can open the world up for local people, including local Aboriginal people, and if it can be a diverse and inclusive learning community that we all want to be a part of.