Rotaract-Milpera calendar project: “Journey” by Jane Griffin

2011 Calendar now available!

Each year the Rotaract Club of South-West Brisbane works with Milpera State High School to produce a calendar to raise money for the Milpera HEAL (Home of Expressive Arts in Learning) program. This is a mental health program using the creative arts to support refugee students. For more information, see the 'About HEAL' section below on the right.

This website will show you some of the amazing artwork that is featured in the Rotaract-Milpera 2011 calendar.

Calendars are $7.50 each.
Buy 5, get 1 free!

To order calendars, please contact the Rotaract Club of South-West Brisbane on rotaractswb@hotmail.com. Calendars will also be sold at the Sherwood Woolworths and Corinda Coles (dates to be confirmed).

“Journey” by Jane Griffin

“Journey” shows a refugee youth in a new landscape. He brings the knowledge of his past as he strides into his present, open to potential for the future.

Jane Griffin is currently working at Milpera State High School and English reception centre where she practices art psychotherapy with newly arrived immigrant and refugee youth in the HEAL program, which she founded. At Milpera, art and music therapy allow the establishment of a sense of safety, a chance to mourn and celebrate aspects of the past, and a way to look to the future, for traumatised young people from war-affected countries.

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About Milpera

About HEAL

The HEAL program (Home of Expressive Arts in Learning) is a mental health program using the creative arts to support refugee students. HEAL aims to provide therapeutic services, research and education, which increase the possibility of recently arrived young people experiencing the good mental health needed to participate fully in the learning experience, and to enjoy life without barriers.

Many of the young people who are referred to HEAL have experienced traumatic circumstances in their refugee journey. They are often sad, angry and fearful. While many are highly resilient, there are those who experience adjustment difficulties, finding it hard to settle and manage their feelings. Milpera students’ need for support increases along with the complexity of their circumstances. HEAL answers this need for support by offering creative caring in one-on-one and group therapy.

Both Music and Art Psychotherapy provide creative interventions to enhance student well-being and address psychological, emotional, cognitive or social needs. Art for Relaxation, conducted by an art teacher also allows space for creative expression.

Music Therapy provides musical experiences focused on meeting therapeutic aims through song writing, instrument playing, drumming, dance and other musical activities. Art Psychotherapy uses the visual arts and play activities combined with psychotherapeutic methods and is based on the understanding that the creative process is healing and life enhancing.

The early intervention work in HEAL is about settlement, child protection, crime prevention, potential enhancement and resilience building. Milpera’s five therapists each have a Masters qualification in mental health or creative arts. Funding is continually sought for salaries to continue the important work of the HEAL team.