Cultural education workshops

Parbinata workshops invite schools and industry partners to explore connections to Country through immersive, hands-on learning experiences.

What we offer

Designed to be modular and complementary, these workshops can be combined to create half-day or full-day programs at Clayton campus. Workshops run for around 45 to 60 minutes, can accommodate up to 30 participants and are suitable for all ages.

Aboriginal garden tour View

Songlines View

Aboriginal artefacts View

Aboriginal mapping exercise View

Is a Parbinata workshop right for you?

You might be a secondary school teacher, coach, educator, facilitator, consultant, academic, manager or executive seeking to build cultural competency, awareness of First Nations experiences, or contribute to meaningful action to advance reconciliation. Participants are introduced to alternative ways of knowing and invited to rethink their relationship to Country as part of an individual and collective reconciliation journey.

For schools View

Parbinata offers a diverse range of workshops for secondary schools, supporting teachers to meet Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) curriculum standards. Sessions are delivered as interactive learning experiences, facilitated by current Indigenous Monash staff and students.

Parbinata learning outcomes and ACARA standards

Parbinata learning outcomes	ACARA organising ideas Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures v8.4	General and transferable capabilities
Develop an understanding and respect for the diversity of Indigenous Australia, including Peoples, Cultures, histories and languages.	Culture (OI.4, OI.5) – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies have many Language Groups, social and cultural systems, and histories.	Intercultural understanding, ethical understanding
Recognise the ongoing impact of colonisation on Indigenous Peoples and Cultures, and how Indigenous communities actively respond to these challenges through traditions and initiatives.	People (OI.7, OI.8, OI.9) – Ways of life are maintained and adapted through cultural expression, activism, and resilience in response to colonisation.	Ethical understanding, personal and social Capability
Understand how Indigenous knowledge systems — such as language, history, tradition, materials, spirituality, and kinship — shape relationships with the environment.	Country/Place (OI.1, OI.2, OI.3) – Deep connections to Country and Place are maintained through cultural practices and knowledge systems that sustain environments.	Critical and creative thinking, sustainability
Critically reflect on how Indigenous practices and ways of knowing offer insights relevant to your own experiences and promote reconciliation.	Culture (OI.6) – Cultural knowledge and practices contribute to contemporary Australian society and reconciliation.	Intercultural understanding, critical and creative thinking
Deepen their respect for First Nations knowledge, recognising its relevance and applicability to modern global challenges.	People (OI.8, OI.9) – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives contribute valuable insights to global conversations and problem-solving.	Ethical understanding, intercultural understanding, global competence

For industry View

On the day

The Parbinata team will deliver and facilitate the workshop. They’ll bring all activity materials and content, but educators can request access to pre- and post-Parbinata workshop classroom resources.Workshop participants will need to:

arrange transport to and from Monash
bring or purchase lunch (see Monash food and retail) and a water bottle
wear weather-appropriate clothing such as sneakers, hats and raincoats.

Testimonials

An innovative, engaging, hands-on experience that students of all ages will enjoy and learn about First Nations culture by First Nations teachers. Linked to the Australian Curriculum, it is designed for school students but can also be adapted for university students, teaching international students about Indigenous ways of being. A great program, facilitated by inspiring instructors in a great environment at Monash University, Clayton. Highly recommended.

Lucinda Malgas, Global Engagement Manager, Asia Pacific Association for International Education

Attending Parbinata was an amazing opportunity to learn about the rich culture of the local Indigenous community. As an exchange student from Italy, I’ve always wanted to learn more about Australian Indigenous traditions, and I felt very privileged to hear about the uses of native plants, songlines, and traditional shelter-building. Seeing the last pre-colonial tree on campus was especially powerful. It gave me a moment to reflect on its significance and the stories it holds. It’s clear how deeply connected Indigenous knowledge is to the land, and to receive this knowledge – passed down over thousands of years – was truly an honour.

Sofia Favaro, exchange student

Cultural education workshops

Parbinata