March 18, 2025 • 20 mins
In this special episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with two incredible young leaders, Koby Sellings and Joel Matysek, who are part of the Culture is Life Fullaship Program. Recorded at iHeart Studios on Yuggera and Turrbal Country, this yarn dives deep into the personal journeys of these two deadly fullas and how the Fullaship has shaped their growth, leadership, and connection to culture.
The Fullaship is a 12-month program open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People who are on a journey to become community leaders, role models and mentors. The Fullaship provides personal and professional development pathways for Young People to continue their own journey of cultural, personal, and professional growth and development.
Koby and Joel share their motivations for joining the program, the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones, and the powerful relationships they've built while travelling to different mobs' Countries. We talk about the value of culture, community and the courage it takes to embrace new opportunities, especially for young mob finding their path.
If you're a young First Nations person looking to grow personally and professionally—or if you're just looking for some inspiration—this episode is filled with wisdom, reflection, and encouragement to take that next step.
Resources & Links
🌐 Culture is Life – Fullaship Program Info:
Learn more about the Culture is Life Fellowship Program and how to apply:
https://cultureislife.org/fullaship/
🌐 Culture is Life Official Website:
Explore more programs, resources, and initiatives supporting First Nations young people:
https://cultureislife.org/
Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au
Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast
The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
Black Cast Unite our voices. Black Magic Woman Podcast acknowledges
the traditional owners of the land we have recorded this
episode on. We also acknowledge traditional owners of the land
where you, the listener of viewer, are tuning in from.
We would like to pay our respects to our elders
past and present and acknowledged that this always was Aboriginal
(00:25):
land and always will be Aboriginal land.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
You may go down the path and realize, oh damn,
this actually wasn't for me, But through that process, I've
given it a go and come into that realization of
that moment. I think there's a lot of power in
that and that's still a step in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Welcome to the Black Magic Woman Podcast with Mondonara Bail.
Welcome back to another episode of the Black Magical Woman Podcast.
We're here on the beautiful land of the Yager and
Terrible People and at the amazing iHeart Studios. Big shout
out to iheartf basically host us and letting me bring
(01:05):
community into these deadly spaces. So yeah, big shout out
to Jack and Meil and everyone behind the scenes that
make this happen. I have done something that's kind of
out of the normal for me. It's not a normal
day in the office. Today I was able to come
up to Brisbane and meet some incredible deadly Blackfellows, First
(01:31):
Nations peoples from around the country. So you're in for
an absolute treat. You're getting two for the price of
one today. It's an amazing episode and it's to really
promote and support the work of Culture is Life, in
particular the Followship program. So joining me on the show today,
We've got Kobe and Joel. I'm going to hand over
(01:52):
to you my brother first, to introduce yourself. So can
you please share with our listeners and we've got viewers
now on YouTube, a little bit about yourself, so you
name your mob, and a little bit about where you
grow up.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
So my name is Kobe Sellings.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
I'm a proud Gunny kern Iman from Southeast Victoria in
Lake Entrance. I've also got cultural ties, blood ties to
Ywan Country, wat Doba Country, a lot of the South
Coast and a lot of Victoria led to everyone it seems,
but yeah, grew up one country and was part of
a scholarship program where I went to boarding school on
(02:27):
water around country in Geelong, and yeah, just very passionate
about your mob and community and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I can't wait to find out some of those passions,
in particular, what led you to applying for the Fellowship program.
We've had a lot of mob that listened to this program.
I did say earlier that there's about one hundred and
thirty Aboriginal radio stations across the country, and we're hoping
that more of those stations take on this podcast so
that we can get some of these stories to those communities.
(02:54):
I'm going to come back to you, Kobe joel over
to you. Butla, do you want to share with the
listeners and people on YouTube where you come from and
a little bit about where you grew up?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Yeah? Thanks, would love to so.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Joe Mattisek, I'm a proud miriam Man from the top
eastern side of the Toro Strait on my father's side,
spent about a decade up there, growing up between three
beautifully very remote islands up in the Torros Straits, and
on my mother's side up connections that go to Natchell
Nightedney in New Zealand as well, So it's a little
bit about me from that side growing up. Spent some
time in cans for about a decade there as well,
(03:31):
down some time down here in Brisbane, then Animal and
Ambry Country for some time. And yeah, it's sort of
back living up in Gimoi. So I think we'll get
into it as the episode continues to develop to today.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
So hold that thought about Gimoi for people that don't
know where Gimoi is, it's actually Cans. So we're using
language that some of our listeners are familiar with and
some might not be. So for some listeners it might
be something they've just learned. I'm going to go back
to you, Kobe, what led you to applying for the
(04:02):
Followship program? Where'd you see it? How'd you hear about it?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Ah?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So actually I know quite a few of the alumni.
So a few of the people that have done the
Followship in the first two years, they kind of just,
I guess, encourage me.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
To do it.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
And I'm all about ye grasping opportunity and making the
most of opportunity so that I can learn and then
so I can pass that onto my family and my
friends and whatnot, and hopefully I just kind of build
myself up so then I can share my skills and
my knowledge bank with the generations and the people around me.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
So yeah, that was basically where I was. It was
it an easy process in terms of the application, because
I'm pretty sure there would be you know, a good
mob around you know, maybe hundreds even of application so
people to apply and then get selected. To tell me
what that was like, just think can I apply for
(04:57):
it for instance? Or is there an age cutoff?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
So yeah, the followship is open to a mob that
a eighteen thirty years.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Old, So I missed that fortunately unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Yeah, so yeah, I got that twelve years. I guess
to kind of make the most of it and have
a crack. But I think, yeah, the application process is
smooth itself. It's just obviously coming and bringing I guess
your skill set, but also what you want out of
it and what you want to learn. So I think
everyone has different ideas and what they and everyone's on
(05:31):
different paths obviously, so they all want to learn different things.
But I think as a as a whole, like they
all have this this I guess aspiration.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah, like the goals and aspirations, and this program is
like a vehicle or a pathway. Okay, too deadly, what
about it for you? Butler?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Well, yeah, I love Code's life and sort of what
it stands for and represents for I think a big
motivating factor for me to join was was definitely that
I do a lot of work community level and a
lot of work trying to work with community to sort
of do a bunch of stuff in a range of
different areas. And this was an opportunity that came up
(06:13):
for my family to sort of go, hey, like you
do want a bunch of stuff, how about you you
spend some time and you do something for you and
you learn and you can develop and you make some
new networks and connections in this generation because we're a
young mob together from different places around the country, which
is extraordinary about what Cultural's life is able to do
and promote on that stage as well those connections across
the entire country, because we're going to continue this journey
(06:36):
in our different areas and the advocacy, the fight, the
activism and whatever it else that young Mob wanted to do,
and it's important to have that diversity perspective as well,
and then we can we will continue to know each
other hopefully for a long period of time as we
continue to join it, because as young.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Mob, hopefully we grow older.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We're privileged to get to that point and grow, which
is amazing, and then we can continue to build the
thread of those relationships that we're having with each other
as well.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
I think that's a really good point to touch on
his relationships. A big part of our culture is based
on relationships. R. It's not what you know too, you know,
and some of those people in our community are the
ones that kind of support us and guide us as I, Hey,
this programs for you. How did you hear about the
program and what was it like applying for it.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
It's the typical how you hear about it way, you know.
It's the Murray Grapevine, the Corey Grapevine. Wherever you're from,
there's that community on that you sort of someone talks
about it, you know about it, You go what is
this thing? Then you find out your Google or whatever
you finds information and then you want to go you
do the sense check. It's that call in your family, hey,
look this program here, what's going on? You knowing more
what's going on? So that was kind of the general
(07:41):
process that you sort of go through and stuff like that.
So it was definitely that and then was always good
feedback and community were very supportive of my family are
very supportive. One, yeah, give it a go learn and
development in this area as well. And that was that
was kind of how I felt about it.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now, So I was going to say, Coby over to you,
are you now are you an alumni? Are you in
the thick of this program where you went right now?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I guess I'm in that transition stage now, like where
this is our last intensive. So after this we've become alumni.
We have our ceremony on Thursday night, which is very
exciting just be able to celebrate the last filve months
with our fellows and yeah yeah, get around each other
and just connect and reflect, I think, which is the
(08:25):
most exciting part I think.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
For me and in terms of you know, just reflecting
then on the last twelve months. Good opportunity to reflect. Now,
what has been like one of your highlights? I'm pretty
sure there's many highlights of the program. You said that
you're here for an intensive. How many intensives? And can
you share with our listeners like what does those intensive entail?
What do you do?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
I think?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Yeah, so I guess intensive.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
You've got intents in there, like they're full on weeks
but it's all all about personal development and a little
bit of professional development depending on how you look at
it and how your mindset goes in, like your mind
frame goes in going into it. But I think, yeah,
we all kind of develop personally, more personally and more.
There's a lot of human connection. Obviously, you spend a
whole week just with you know, the nine nine to
(09:18):
fifteen of you, including staff, so it's pretty full on.
You get to know each other very quickly and I
think we kind of dulved real deep straight away. We've
had this is the third intensive in Brizzy Mugging Gin
So we had our first one in Nam Melbourne and
then yeah, Gimeay and can So.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
So you've been able to actually go and see other country,
other mobs country through this program, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Which has been like special.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I think I've got ties to w and Jenny Mob
in Nam and just to be able to learn about
my nun's Molbourne their history behind that has been special.
And then obviously you had to go up to Cannes
Give a Way and learn about learn about their Moburn
and their stories and even just some of the connections
to Yuran country where my pop's from and the storylines
(10:04):
and song lines that kind of connect both mobs, even
though they're so far away, has been specialized.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
So I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about the opportunity, like
you think about for a lot of our mob, especially
young mob, they've never had the opportunity to leave their community,
and sometimes we're afraid or you know, not confident to actually,
you know, take advantage of some of those opportunities. Still
(10:30):
have to put the application in and there's a selection process,
otherwise everyone would be there. So obviously, you know, nine
to fifteen, it's a small group, and there is that
kind of you know connection part that people do need
to connect to some degree because you have to spend
some time together over a week you said, and then
do two or three of those intenses and then you graduate.
(10:51):
Are you looking forward to graduating? Blallah joel or which way? Excited?
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It's it's kind of a typical bittersuite, you know, you
build these relationships with people over a year, and you
develop and you row, and then it's been amazing and
then you can't just like it's coming to an end.
Like it's like I don't know if anyone's played any sports,
but It's like getting to the end of the season
in your sports and nearly looking around, you're like, I
don't know if I'm going to be around the same
players here next year, we're gonna have these same moments.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Yeah, I don't. You don't know.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
What's going to happen later. So you're very grateful. Oh,
I'm very grateful anyway for the experiences that I've had.
So I am looking forward to graduating in the sense
of being grateful for this amazing opportunity to be with
culture's life, visit other people's countries and learn those really
personal local community stories that they have too that's also cultural,
(11:38):
but also a lot of historical stories that are there
as well, So I'm grateful for those and very privileged,
I suppose in that sense as well, to be able
to go watch other people's countries and be welcomed on
and be grounded in culture, which is an important which
is an important integral part of culture culturist life. It's
in the name Culture is Life, the fullership program of
(11:59):
Culture is Life, where culture is such an important part
of that entire program. The whole program is grounded really
in culture, which makes it so special. And then even
visiting other people's countries and learning different cultural protocols and
different stories, and I'm very grateful for all that experience.
But yeah, definitely a bittersweet that it is coming to
an end.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
But that's that's life.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
That is life. And you know, just thinking about some
of those moments, was there anyone in particular that you've
met that you want to mention or share they might
be listening.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
This is true.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, There's definitely lots of people throughout this whole journey
that have been absolutely incredible. I think one that really
resonates with me was when we went to the we
went and visited the Kronderke Mission or what used to
be the Corondrk Mission in the jurisdiction of Victoria and
(12:51):
hearing there was an uncle in there who came and
shared his young and his story and his connection to
this warrior that was a massive advocate for that particular
mission in the in the sense of in that particular
time he was able to to build relationships with a
lot of other mob from that region and actually self
(13:12):
determine a lot of how they were living in that
in that mission. So hearing those different types of story
and that uncle being there as as a direct descendant
of that family to be able to carry that knowledge
and share that knowledge and impart that knowledge too, which
is we're privileged to be in that position where Uncle
can impart that knowledge as well to us. That was
that was a really interesting a moment I value a
lot because it was it was also a little bit
(13:35):
of a narrative. I wasn't used to hearing when people
average and torchwan and people often talk about missions as well,
so there was there was a lot of there was
a lot of strength in the story that he was
sharing as well. So that definitely a moment that resonates.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Deeply with me.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And if you wasn't part of this fellowship program, you
probably wouldn't have met Uncle, right, I.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Probably wouldn't have because again, like it was something happened,
we had to switch the program at the last minute,
and it relied on that social fabric relationships where this
amazing We're able to pull together this program within a
couple of days.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Love, love how our mob works and create something that
you know, could have went, hey, look we got to
postpone this or this day is not going to happen.
We're going to cancel. No, no, no, Black Fellows are pretty
good at pulling resource together even last minute.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Last minute, exactly so exactly. You may not, we probably
wouldn't have probably got that opportunity if those things that
don't happen in the relationships and the community.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So of course I love relationships. We love just how
black Fellows work and how actually connected we are to
our communities where people will do whatever with five minutes
notice or with no pay even you know, people just
jump in nowhere as we'll be there. Love this, and
I hope for our listeners that are listening to this
(14:56):
yarn if you are interested, if any of this resonates
with you, or you're kind of at a crossroads with
you or your life, your career or what you want
to do, you're not sure this could be a program
for you, So in our show notes, or make sure
that we've got some information about this program, or even
reach out to these young fellows here where they can
(15:18):
share hopefully offline. I'll put it out there that you
fellows are going to have everyone hit you up now
about your experience, so that people start to feel that
just that confidence, step outside your comfort zone and grab
these opportunities with two hands. But to finish up the yarn.
I was just going to say, if you could just
(15:41):
share with some of these young fellows listening, whether it's
I don't know, words of wisdom, some advice for them
to make that decision on whether or not this program
is for them. What would you say?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I think so on Intensive number two, we kind of
shared a little bit about ourselves and kind of why
did this while we did the fellowship, while we do
the work that we do in community or for ourselves,
And a lot of it did come back to that community.
But I think the words that I kind of try
and live by every day is to be humble, to
be kind, be grateful, and then be uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
And I think that's that last one.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Be uncomfortable, step out of your comfort zone and give
it a crack. That's when you grow the most. That's
when you get the most out of yourself. But you
can also get the most out of others as well
when you're uncomfortable and you're putting yourself out there.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
So I think if.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
You're thinking about doing the followship or another opportunity that's similar,
or even if you're just thinking like, oh, how can
I get better at this? Just put yourself in that
uncomfortable situation, but be humble, be kind and grateful as.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Well at the same time deadly way to kind of
leave people with some words of wisdom. What about for you,
Balla Joel, what would you say to some of our
young more blistening I think.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
What I would what I would say is definitely just
give it a crack like this. If there's something you're
thinking of, whether it is the culture's life program, whether
you wanted to study something or try learn a new skill,
or you want whatever whatever it is, like start a
new job, apply for something else. I think what I
just say is just give it a go, and probably
(17:19):
think about your values as well. I'd probably say to
start with that, think about what your values are, like
deep stop and like deeply think about what your values
actually I write them down and reflect on those and
then think about it a little bit more, and maybe
have a yarn with someone who knows you well as well,
so that you can sort of get this is what
I think, or whatever it is. But think about your values,
and then based on your values, and think about something
(17:40):
you may want to do, whether it's a goal or
whether it's even an idea or thought or not really
properly formulate a goal yet and just give it a go.
Like you may you may start something and you may
go down the path and realize, oh damn, this actually
wasn't for me. But through that process of given it
a go and come into that realization of that moment,
I think there's a lot of power in that and
that's still a step in the right direction. So my
(18:01):
message would definitely just to be give something go. If
you're interested in it, you wanted to do it, you're
thinking about it, whatever, just.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Give it a go.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
You never know what opportunity is, what the future, you
know what is tomorrow. If you don't have a go now,
then you'll never know. I just want to say to
both of you, you know, thank you for jumping on
the podcast and having a yarn, sharing a bit about
your stories and your mob and your community as well.
I'm pretty sure we could be here for a lot longer.
(18:29):
But big shout out to Blinda Duarte, the CEO of
Culture's Life. For my listeners. Go back to like four
years ago, in the very early days of Black Magic Woman,
you can hear the deadly Blinda Duarte talk about this
organization and a bit about her story as well. Is
her Arnie to like. Literally, you got a big shout
(18:53):
out here and inspirational, Deadly Corey woman representing on so
many different fronts, but in particular this program, the Fellowship
Program Cultures Live, so as will say thank you for
coming on and it's been an absolute pleasure to spend
the day with your Hopefully we get to catch up
back on your country soon.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Be here.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
You're welcome. I can't wait for you to hear. We've
got a few other guests that we're going to have
on another episode where we actually support and promote the
work of Culture's Life, in particular the Fellowship Program. If
you want to learn more, go to our show notes.
Hope you've enjoyed this episode. Until next time, bye for now.
If you'd like any more on today's guest, please visit
(19:37):
our show notes in the episode description. A big shout
out to all you Deadly Mob and allies who continue
to listen, watch, and support our podcast. Your feedback means
the world. You can rate and review the podcast on
Apple and Spotify, or even head to our socials and
YouTube channel and drop us a line. We'd love to
(19:58):
hear from you. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is produced
by Clint Curtis coptin its
Black Cast Unite our voices. Black Magic Woman Podcast acknowledges
the traditional owners of the land we have recorded this
episode on. We also acknowledge traditional owners of the land
where you, the listener of viewer, are tuning in from.
We would like to pay our respects to our elders
past and present and acknowledged that this always was Aboriginal
(00:25):
land and always will be Aboriginal land.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
You may go down the path and realize, oh damn,
this actually wasn't for me, But through that process, I've
given it a go and come into that realization of
that moment. I think there's a lot of power in
that and that's still a step in the right direction.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
Welcome to the Black Magic Woman Podcast with Mondonara Bail.
Welcome back to another episode of the Black Magical Woman Podcast.
We're here on the beautiful land of the Yager and
Terrible People and at the amazing iHeart Studios. Big shout
out to iheartf basically host us and letting me bring
(01:05):
community into these deadly spaces. So yeah, big shout out
to Jack and Meil and everyone behind the scenes that
make this happen. I have done something that's kind of
out of the normal for me. It's not a normal
day in the office. Today I was able to come
up to Brisbane and meet some incredible deadly Blackfellows, First
(01:31):
Nations peoples from around the country. So you're in for
an absolute treat. You're getting two for the price of
one today. It's an amazing episode and it's to really
promote and support the work of Culture is Life, in
particular the Followship program. So joining me on the show today,
We've got Kobe and Joel. I'm going to hand over
(01:52):
to you my brother first, to introduce yourself. So can
you please share with our listeners and we've got viewers
now on YouTube, a little bit about yourself, so you
name your mob, and a little bit about where you
grow up.
Speaker 3 (02:04):
So my name is Kobe Sellings.
Speaker 4 (02:06):
I'm a proud Gunny kern Iman from Southeast Victoria in
Lake Entrance. I've also got cultural ties, blood ties to
Ywan Country, wat Doba Country, a lot of the South
Coast and a lot of Victoria led to everyone it seems,
but yeah, grew up one country and was part of
a scholarship program where I went to boarding school on
(02:27):
water around country in Geelong, and yeah, just very passionate
about your mob and community and whatnot.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
I can't wait to find out some of those passions,
in particular, what led you to applying for the Fellowship program.
We've had a lot of mob that listened to this program.
I did say earlier that there's about one hundred and
thirty Aboriginal radio stations across the country, and we're hoping
that more of those stations take on this podcast so
that we can get some of these stories to those communities.
(02:54):
I'm going to come back to you, Kobe joel over
to you. Butla, do you want to share with the
listeners and people on YouTube where you come from and
a little bit about where you grew up?
Speaker 3 (03:07):
Yeah? Thanks, would love to so.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
Joe Mattisek, I'm a proud miriam Man from the top
eastern side of the Toro Strait on my father's side,
spent about a decade up there, growing up between three
beautifully very remote islands up in the Torros Straits, and
on my mother's side up connections that go to Natchell
Nightedney in New Zealand as well, So it's a little
bit about me from that side growing up. Spent some
time in cans for about a decade there as well,
(03:31):
down some time down here in Brisbane, then Animal and
Ambry Country for some time. And yeah, it's sort of
back living up in Gimoi. So I think we'll get
into it as the episode continues to develop to today.
Speaker 1 (03:42):
So hold that thought about Gimoi for people that don't
know where Gimoi is, it's actually Cans. So we're using
language that some of our listeners are familiar with and
some might not be. So for some listeners it might
be something they've just learned. I'm going to go back
to you, Kobe, what led you to applying for the
(04:02):
Followship program? Where'd you see it? How'd you hear about it?
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Ah?
Speaker 4 (04:06):
So actually I know quite a few of the alumni.
So a few of the people that have done the
Followship in the first two years, they kind of just,
I guess, encourage me.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
To do it.
Speaker 4 (04:17):
And I'm all about ye grasping opportunity and making the
most of opportunity so that I can learn and then
so I can pass that onto my family and my
friends and whatnot, and hopefully I just kind of build
myself up so then I can share my skills and
my knowledge bank with the generations and the people around me.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
So yeah, that was basically where I was. It was
it an easy process in terms of the application, because
I'm pretty sure there would be you know, a good
mob around you know, maybe hundreds even of application so
people to apply and then get selected. To tell me
what that was like, just think can I apply for
(04:57):
it for instance? Or is there an age cutoff?
Speaker 4 (05:00):
So yeah, the followship is open to a mob that
a eighteen thirty years.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
Old, So I missed that fortunately unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (05:09):
Yeah, so yeah, I got that twelve years. I guess
to kind of make the most of it and have
a crack. But I think, yeah, the application process is
smooth itself. It's just obviously coming and bringing I guess
your skill set, but also what you want out of
it and what you want to learn. So I think
everyone has different ideas and what they and everyone's on
(05:31):
different paths obviously, so they all want to learn different things.
But I think as a as a whole, like they
all have this this I guess aspiration.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Yeah, like the goals and aspirations, and this program is
like a vehicle or a pathway. Okay, too deadly, what
about it for you? Butler?
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Well, yeah, I love Code's life and sort of what
it stands for and represents for I think a big
motivating factor for me to join was was definitely that
I do a lot of work community level and a
lot of work trying to work with community to sort
of do a bunch of stuff in a range of
different areas. And this was an opportunity that came up
(06:13):
for my family to sort of go, hey, like you
do want a bunch of stuff, how about you you
spend some time and you do something for you and
you learn and you can develop and you make some
new networks and connections in this generation because we're a
young mob together from different places around the country, which
is extraordinary about what Cultural's life is able to do
and promote on that stage as well those connections across
the entire country, because we're going to continue this journey
(06:36):
in our different areas and the advocacy, the fight, the
activism and whatever it else that young Mob wanted to do,
and it's important to have that diversity perspective as well,
and then we can we will continue to know each
other hopefully for a long period of time as we
continue to join it, because as young.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Mob, hopefully we grow older.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We're privileged to get to that point and grow, which
is amazing, and then we can continue to build the
thread of those relationships that we're having with each other
as well.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
I think that's a really good point to touch on
his relationships. A big part of our culture is based
on relationships. R. It's not what you know too, you know,
and some of those people in our community are the
ones that kind of support us and guide us as I, Hey,
this programs for you. How did you hear about the
program and what was it like applying for it.
Speaker 2 (07:21):
It's the typical how you hear about it way, you know.
It's the Murray Grapevine, the Corey Grapevine. Wherever you're from,
there's that community on that you sort of someone talks
about it, you know about it, You go what is
this thing? Then you find out your Google or whatever
you finds information and then you want to go you
do the sense check. It's that call in your family, hey,
look this program here, what's going on? You knowing more
what's going on? So that was kind of the general
(07:41):
process that you sort of go through and stuff like that.
So it was definitely that and then was always good
feedback and community were very supportive of my family are
very supportive. One, yeah, give it a go learn and
development in this area as well. And that was that
was kind of how I felt about it.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Now, So I was going to say, Coby over to you,
are you now are you an alumni? Are you in
the thick of this program where you went right now?
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (08:03):
I guess I'm in that transition stage now, like where
this is our last intensive. So after this we've become alumni.
We have our ceremony on Thursday night, which is very
exciting just be able to celebrate the last filve months
with our fellows and yeah yeah, get around each other
and just connect and reflect, I think, which is the
(08:25):
most exciting part I think.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
For me and in terms of you know, just reflecting
then on the last twelve months. Good opportunity to reflect. Now,
what has been like one of your highlights? I'm pretty
sure there's many highlights of the program. You said that
you're here for an intensive. How many intensives? And can
you share with our listeners like what does those intensive entail?
What do you do?
Speaker 2 (08:52):
I think?
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Yeah, so I guess intensive.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
You've got intents in there, like they're full on weeks
but it's all all about personal development and a little
bit of professional development depending on how you look at
it and how your mindset goes in, like your mind
frame goes in going into it. But I think, yeah,
we all kind of develop personally, more personally and more.
There's a lot of human connection. Obviously, you spend a
whole week just with you know, the nine nine to
(09:18):
fifteen of you, including staff, so it's pretty full on.
You get to know each other very quickly and I
think we kind of dulved real deep straight away. We've
had this is the third intensive in Brizzy Mugging Gin
So we had our first one in Nam Melbourne and
then yeah, Gimeay and can So.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
So you've been able to actually go and see other country,
other mobs country through this program, yeah.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Which has been like special.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
I think I've got ties to w and Jenny Mob
in Nam and just to be able to learn about
my nun's Molbourne their history behind that has been special.
And then obviously you had to go up to Cannes
Give a Way and learn about learn about their Moburn
and their stories and even just some of the connections
to Yuran country where my pop's from and the storylines
(10:04):
and song lines that kind of connect both mobs, even
though they're so far away, has been specialized.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
So I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about the opportunity, like
you think about for a lot of our mob, especially
young mob, they've never had the opportunity to leave their community,
and sometimes we're afraid or you know, not confident to actually,
you know, take advantage of some of those opportunities. Still
(10:30):
have to put the application in and there's a selection process,
otherwise everyone would be there. So obviously, you know, nine
to fifteen, it's a small group, and there is that
kind of you know connection part that people do need
to connect to some degree because you have to spend
some time together over a week you said, and then
do two or three of those intenses and then you graduate.
(10:51):
Are you looking forward to graduating? Blallah joel or which way? Excited?
Speaker 2 (10:57):
It's it's kind of a typical bittersuite, you know, you
build these relationships with people over a year, and you
develop and you row, and then it's been amazing and
then you can't just like it's coming to an end.
Like it's like I don't know if anyone's played any sports,
but It's like getting to the end of the season
in your sports and nearly looking around, you're like, I
don't know if I'm going to be around the same
players here next year, we're gonna have these same moments.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Yeah, I don't. You don't know.
Speaker 2 (11:18):
What's going to happen later. So you're very grateful. Oh,
I'm very grateful anyway for the experiences that I've had.
So I am looking forward to graduating in the sense
of being grateful for this amazing opportunity to be with
culture's life, visit other people's countries and learn those really
personal local community stories that they have too that's also cultural,
(11:38):
but also a lot of historical stories that are there
as well, So I'm grateful for those and very privileged,
I suppose in that sense as well, to be able
to go watch other people's countries and be welcomed on
and be grounded in culture, which is an important which
is an important integral part of culture culturist life. It's
in the name Culture is Life, the fullership program of
(11:59):
Culture is Life, where culture is such an important part
of that entire program. The whole program is grounded really
in culture, which makes it so special. And then even
visiting other people's countries and learning different cultural protocols and
different stories, and I'm very grateful for all that experience.
But yeah, definitely a bittersweet that it is coming to
an end.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
But that's that's life.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
That is life. And you know, just thinking about some
of those moments, was there anyone in particular that you've
met that you want to mention or share they might
be listening.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
This is true.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Yeah, There's definitely lots of people throughout this whole journey
that have been absolutely incredible. I think one that really
resonates with me was when we went to the we
went and visited the Kronderke Mission or what used to
be the Corondrk Mission in the jurisdiction of Victoria and
(12:51):
hearing there was an uncle in there who came and
shared his young and his story and his connection to
this warrior that was a massive advocate for that particular
mission in the in the sense of in that particular
time he was able to to build relationships with a
lot of other mob from that region and actually self
(13:12):
determine a lot of how they were living in that
in that mission. So hearing those different types of story
and that uncle being there as as a direct descendant
of that family to be able to carry that knowledge
and share that knowledge and impart that knowledge too, which
is we're privileged to be in that position where Uncle
can impart that knowledge as well to us. That was
that was a really interesting a moment I value a
lot because it was it was also a little bit
(13:35):
of a narrative. I wasn't used to hearing when people
average and torchwan and people often talk about missions as well,
so there was there was a lot of there was
a lot of strength in the story that he was
sharing as well. So that definitely a moment that resonates.
Speaker 3 (13:49):
Deeply with me.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
And if you wasn't part of this fellowship program, you
probably wouldn't have met Uncle, right, I.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Probably wouldn't have because again, like it was something happened,
we had to switch the program at the last minute,
and it relied on that social fabric relationships where this
amazing We're able to pull together this program within a
couple of days.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Love, love how our mob works and create something that
you know, could have went, hey, look we got to
postpone this or this day is not going to happen.
We're going to cancel. No, no, no, Black Fellows are pretty
good at pulling resource together even last minute.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
Last minute, exactly so exactly. You may not, we probably
wouldn't have probably got that opportunity if those things that
don't happen in the relationships and the community.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
So of course I love relationships. We love just how
black Fellows work and how actually connected we are to
our communities where people will do whatever with five minutes
notice or with no pay even you know, people just
jump in nowhere as we'll be there. Love this, and
I hope for our listeners that are listening to this
(14:56):
yarn if you are interested, if any of this resonates
with you, or you're kind of at a crossroads with
you or your life, your career or what you want
to do, you're not sure this could be a program
for you, So in our show notes, or make sure
that we've got some information about this program, or even
reach out to these young fellows here where they can
(15:18):
share hopefully offline. I'll put it out there that you
fellows are going to have everyone hit you up now
about your experience, so that people start to feel that
just that confidence, step outside your comfort zone and grab
these opportunities with two hands. But to finish up the yarn.
I was just going to say, if you could just
(15:41):
share with some of these young fellows listening, whether it's
I don't know, words of wisdom, some advice for them
to make that decision on whether or not this program
is for them. What would you say?
Speaker 4 (15:57):
I think so on Intensive number two, we kind of
shared a little bit about ourselves and kind of why
did this while we did the fellowship, while we do
the work that we do in community or for ourselves,
And a lot of it did come back to that community.
But I think the words that I kind of try
and live by every day is to be humble, to
be kind, be grateful, and then be uncomfortable.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
And I think that's that last one.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Be uncomfortable, step out of your comfort zone and give
it a crack. That's when you grow the most. That's
when you get the most out of yourself. But you
can also get the most out of others as well
when you're uncomfortable and you're putting yourself out there.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
So I think if.
Speaker 4 (16:33):
You're thinking about doing the followship or another opportunity that's similar,
or even if you're just thinking like, oh, how can
I get better at this? Just put yourself in that
uncomfortable situation, but be humble, be kind and grateful as.
Speaker 1 (16:45):
Well at the same time deadly way to kind of
leave people with some words of wisdom. What about for you,
Balla Joel, what would you say to some of our
young more blistening I think.
Speaker 2 (16:59):
What I would what I would say is definitely just
give it a crack like this. If there's something you're
thinking of, whether it is the culture's life program, whether
you wanted to study something or try learn a new skill,
or you want whatever whatever it is, like start a
new job, apply for something else. I think what I
just say is just give it a go, and probably
(17:19):
think about your values as well. I'd probably say to
start with that, think about what your values are, like
deep stop and like deeply think about what your values
actually I write them down and reflect on those and
then think about it a little bit more, and maybe
have a yarn with someone who knows you well as well,
so that you can sort of get this is what
I think, or whatever it is. But think about your values,
and then based on your values, and think about something
(17:40):
you may want to do, whether it's a goal or
whether it's even an idea or thought or not really
properly formulate a goal yet and just give it a go.
Like you may you may start something and you may
go down the path and realize, oh damn, this actually
wasn't for me. But through that process of given it
a go and come into that realization of that moment,
I think there's a lot of power in that and
that's still a step in the right direction. So my
(18:01):
message would definitely just to be give something go. If
you're interested in it, you wanted to do it, you're
thinking about it, whatever, just.
Speaker 3 (18:07):
Give it a go.
Speaker 1 (18:08):
You never know what opportunity is, what the future, you
know what is tomorrow. If you don't have a go now,
then you'll never know. I just want to say to
both of you, you know, thank you for jumping on
the podcast and having a yarn, sharing a bit about
your stories and your mob and your community as well.
I'm pretty sure we could be here for a lot longer.
(18:29):
But big shout out to Blinda Duarte, the CEO of
Culture's Life. For my listeners. Go back to like four
years ago, in the very early days of Black Magic Woman,
you can hear the deadly Blinda Duarte talk about this
organization and a bit about her story as well. Is
her Arnie to like. Literally, you got a big shout
(18:53):
out here and inspirational, Deadly Corey woman representing on so
many different fronts, but in particular this program, the Fellowship
Program Cultures Live, so as will say thank you for
coming on and it's been an absolute pleasure to spend
the day with your Hopefully we get to catch up
back on your country soon.
Speaker 3 (19:14):
Be here.
Speaker 1 (19:14):
You're welcome. I can't wait for you to hear. We've
got a few other guests that we're going to have
on another episode where we actually support and promote the
work of Culture's Life, in particular the Fellowship Program. If
you want to learn more, go to our show notes.
Hope you've enjoyed this episode. Until next time, bye for now.
If you'd like any more on today's guest, please visit
(19:37):
our show notes in the episode description. A big shout
out to all you Deadly Mob and allies who continue
to listen, watch, and support our podcast. Your feedback means
the world. You can rate and review the podcast on
Apple and Spotify, or even head to our socials and
YouTube channel and drop us a line. We'd love to
(19:58):
hear from you. The Black Magic Woman Podcast is produced
by Clint Curtis coptin its
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