Luke Carroll with young volunteers Lawson Foster and Mahkylah Farnham
Over 70 teams of enthusiastic students enjoyed a day full of activities and learning how to maintain a healthy lifestyle at East Gippsland’s National Indigenous 3on3® Basketball and Hip Hop Challenge on Wednesday 5 March.
Students from Bairnsdale and across the East Gippsland region participated in their third Vibe 3on3® at the Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre for a day of 3on3 basketball, rapping and break dancing lessons, art workshops, a dance competition and a health expo.
For event producer Mayrah Sonter the day was fueled by the generous support and effort from all involved.
“You could really feel the community spirit. We had so many committee members and volunteers standing alongside us to help with the event. It’s a credit to the local community,” she says.
“The entire event was overwhelmingly positive and built upon the success of previous events with more 18 schools rocking up to the Vibe 3on3 from across the region.”
East Gippsland was spoilt for role models on the day with three young Aboriginal Victorian AFL players attending the event to share some of their stories. Local boys Raymond Adams, Alex Saunders and Darren Allen, each returned to the 3on3 after attending last year.
“All three young men did an outstanding job of being role models at the 3on3. Darren shared his experiences, both challenging and rewarding in the new ‘Chat with a Champion’ activity where kids are learning to build resilience against tough times,” Mayrah says.
“Raymond, Alex and Darren were joined by local role model and mum of 10, Catriona Harrison, to discuss with the kids how they can best cope with difficult times in their lives and how they can access support in their local community.”
The young people hit it off with all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models on the day.
“Australian Centre for Performing Arts graduate Ngioka Bunda-Heath and Move It Mob Style’s Ryka Satrick, travelled from Melbourne and Sydney respectively to be at the East Gippsland 3on3. Rappers Philly and Gekkz joined forces to teach the kids about storytelling and expression through rap whilst DJ Teeze kept the beats pumping all day.”
Rapper Philly has been to many 3on3s before, attending the 3on3 in Mildura as a young guy and has won at least three medals at the 3on3 over the years. He has even travelled to Swan Hill and Echuca to get involved in the 3on3 action.
“Being involved at the 3on3 as a rapper is a spin out, a real change,” he said. “I’ve attended the 3on3 lots of times and have been taught rap by Brothablack, Munkimuk, the Street Warriors, Lady Lash and even the Yung Warriors. I also learnt some breaking skills from BBoy 2 Ezy.”
“I’ve been taught to teach. I am excited to be a part of the Vibe team and hope to inspire the kids just like them mob inspired me back in the day.”
Philly was joined by Gekkz, an MC hailing from Cairns, QLD. Rapping for over a decade, the East Gippsland 3on3 was his first event.
“I see how successful the 3on3 is down south and I want to take the 3on3 to hometown of Cairns where the kids need some positive messages,” said Gekkz. “I see this opportunity as north and south colliding – in unity, for the kids,” he said.
Uncle Wayne Thorpe delivered the welcome to country and played the gum leaf before local Mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, Mark Reeves and Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, both addressed the students, enforcing the need to take care of your health and make some new friends.
An interactive health expo was also a highlight at the 3on3 with many local service providers in attendance to introduce themselves to the kids of the East Gippsland region. The services covered programs from diet, understanding how your internal organs work, mental health information and the importance of closing the gap.
The 3on3 crew would like to thank the local sponsors for their support including Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative, Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre, David Lucke’s Fresh Food Market, Jarrod’s Bakery, Coles Supermarket, Gippsland Medicare Local and Djillay Ngalu.
“We would like to send a big shout out to local committee for all their support as well as to all of the volunteers, students, teachers and health representatives who participated,” Mayrah says.
Vibe would like to acknowledge the assistance of “Supporting Communities to Reduce the Risk of Suicide” component of the “Taking Action to Tackle Suicide” Program.
The Vibe 3on3® would not be possible without its Principal Sponsor the Department of Health as well as our sponsors – the Australian Government and our supporters the Jimmy Little Foundation, National Rural Health Students Network, Koori Mail, Deadly Vibe, Deadly Sounds, Deadly Vibe Wire and deadlyvibe.com.au.
For all media enquiries please call Mayrah Sonter at Deadly Vibe on 0405 834 016 or email [email protected]
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