testimonials
TFACTS are committed to taking organisations on a cultural journey.
The testimonies we receive demonstrate our commitment.
Thanks Tarina for such an informative and touching session. And thank you so much for sharing your own personal story with us. Tarina did a fantastic job at educating the participants and made sure that the session was engaging and interactive. I would highly recommend to anyone to attend these sessions, I gained so much form them.
Shereen,
Energy Australia
I would highly recommend any organisation undertake this amazing training, it helps generate the right conversation, it opens the door for understanding by using truth, experience, knowledge and care. Whilst educational, it is also inspiring. It has helped my broad team commence our own action plan. Moving towards creating new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander opportunities through nurturing a culture based on inclusion and awareness and moving us all one step closer to reconciliation.
Grace Gualtieri,
Learning and Knowledge Leader,
Energy Australia
I was overwhelmed with how moving the session was and how my poor knowledge was before starting the session. Tarina you are an amazing teacher and advocate.
Participant,
ACSO
(Australian Community Support Services)
I was really moved by the personal stories shared by Tarina. This made the session so much more thought-provoking and emotional. It made me want to talk with family and friends about the importance of deeper respect and appreciate of Aboriginal and Torres Islander people.
Amanda,
Rio Tinto
The training was very practical, a well-balanced and honed presentation. I became more understanding of the historical narrative, it was positive, not judgmental and this has been a turning point in my perspective and has given me practical tools to apply.
Member,
VCAT
(Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
Tarina was incredibly open and engaging with the group and offered practical and helpful recommendations for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
Participant,
ACSO
Tarina was a fantastic communicator and clearly had a wealth of experience in justice.
Participant,
ACSO
Presented exceptionally well and without judgement. Enabled a safe learning space ….. nothing could have been better, it was great.
Participant,
ACSO
I watched the recording of the Connecting to Country session with Tarina Fanning this morning – it was so moving and powerful – brought me to tears. I can’t believe that in my lifetime, children were being taken from their families and some never reunited. All while I enjoyed a blissful childhood…..so much damage done. There are no words, as you said. An amazing opportunity for our students and staff to hear Tarina’s story first hand – an experience that we’ll never forget. May we continue to observe the national apology each year so that this never happens ever again.
Maria,
Methodist Ladies College
Tarina has become a trusted partner and advisor to MITS. Her cultural awareness training is simply outstanding. She is able to tailor her offerings to anyone: from Melbourne families starting out on their journey, to Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff working with young Indigenous people daily. She makes every person feel safe, included and enriched through her trainings.
Edward Tudor,
Executive Director,
Melbourne Indigenous Transition School
There was much positive feedback and a lovely vibe in the room after your presentation.
Thanks for the connection and care that you so obviously have with the MITS kids.
Annie Carruthers,
Pathways Manager,
Melbourne Indigenous Transition School
I really enjoyed the PD. I loved the personal reflections and I thought she was very engaging. Tarina utilized people’s experiences, which was great. And I liked the activities for breaking up the morning. The broad brush strokes were great, and I am very happy with how much was covered and what was taught.
Participant,
MITS
(Melbourne Indigenous Transition School)
Thanks a lot, I loved it. It was accessible, interesting, and never overbearing. I will be recommending to all I work with and beyond.
Participant,
MITS
(Melbourne Indigenous Transition School)
Lovely style, presentation pace and interactions and worksheets were great.
Participant,
MITS
(Melbourne Indigenous Transition School
I think Tarina would be amazing for Partner-schools and Melbourne Families especially around the Kinship info and Communication info as this is where a lot of the Non-Aboriginal don’t understand or get properly.
Participant,
MITS,
(Melbourne Indigenous Transition School)
I have worked with Tarina across several educational settings, and I have also been an attendee at her course. I have been impressed with her interactive approach to teaching cultural awareness. She provides very relevant, engaging and applicable information and teaches in a dynamic manner. Most importantly, I have learned and continue to learn from Tarina.
Sam Weily,
Psychologist,
Weily Psych
Cultural awareness is important for everyone in Australia. Tarina’s training allows participants to explore, understand and appreciate their own traditions, their family history and storytelling and find similarities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples ways of being. It also helps grow ones understanding of the experiences of, and diversity within Aboriginal and Torres Strait people’s cultures. I have enjoyed Tarina’s cultural awareness training as it allows us to safely challenge and test long held ideas and biases, explore our own behaviours and find ways that we can all work towards inclusiveness and reconciliation
Reihana Haggie,
Pathways Coordinator,
Melbourne Indigenous Transition School
Tarina’s presentation style was very gentle, accepting and non-judgemental. Her way of welcoming questions and explaining the answers were generous and warm. As a white Australian, I often feel quite ignorant about cultural sensitivities, but don’t know where or how to ask the questions…I feel guilty because I don’t already know the answers.Tarina’s presentation was so informative, and I loved that she didn’t assume any prior knowledge. I also really appreciated hearing her family story – I’m sure it’s risky for her to be that vulnerable with strangers, but was so helpful for me (and I’m sure others) in hearing first-hand stories that are so different from my own.
Bella, female respondent,
Stirling College
Tarina’s workshop was so helpful, and way overdue! I wasn’t made to feel ignorant or guilty about my lack of Aboriginal culture and history knowledge, but was educated and enthused by Tarina’s humble and practical approach. I learnt many basics that I wish my generation was taught growing up, and I was challenged to get involved in events and seek opportunities to learn further. I also loved how personal Tarina was, and that she spoke from her own heart and experiences. She was sensitive, didn’t generalize and articulated her points really clearly. I could have listened to her talk for much longer. I hope Tarina is able to do these workshop with many other groups in the future!
Lisa, female respondent,
Stirling College
Tarina offered a wonderfully engaging and informative presentation. Her passion was evident and her clarity was appreciated. Her talk was a well blended mix of information, education and courageous personal story telling. The result of which was greater understanding and empathy, a sense of feeling more equipped to build relationships of trust with Aboriginal Australians and ultimately more energised to continue the journey of reconciliation.
Mike, respondent,
Stirling College
I can honestly say this training session was the most interesting training I have done in the past few years from a PD perspective.
Bail Justice,
Victoria
We would like to Acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we live and work.
We acknowledge their spiritual connection the land and waters and pay respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging for they hold the history, cultural traditions and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
