Koori Cultural Classes for Children at Laverton Community Hub

A PUSH to connect Aboriginal children in the west with their culture has begun in Laverton.

Hoppers Crossing resident and Winadjuri man Will Carter is teaching dance, language, cultural responsibilities and leadership skills to a group of boys at the Laverton Community Hub.

There is also a similar group for girls.

Both have been meeting on Wednesdays at the hub since the start of the year.

The groups are endorsed through the Wangal United Aboriginal Corporation — Wangal meaning “you and I’’ in the local Aboriginal language Woirwurrung.

Mr Carter, who works as an Aboriginal access worker at ISIS Primary Care in Altona Meadows, said there seemed to be nothing to connect Aboriginal children with their culture in the western suburbs.

“I came here to live 10 years ago and to have nothing is a bit disheartening, especially when you have kids of yourself and these kids are not connected with other Aboriginal kids,’’ he said.

“If we don’t teach our kids culture and strengthen our culture, it will die,’’ he said.