Welcome to Country is a two-day initiative, which assists in personal development by visiting an Indigenous environment in South West Victoria.

A two day cultural awareness program

This is a journey in building self-esteem by sharing someone else's culture; it will enhance a participant's awareness of his/her own identity.

The visit to the Gunditjmara/Kirrae Wurrong people will explain the culture to the participants through travelling to significant landmarks, listening to the music, understanding the painting, hearing tales of the dreamtime, watching traditional dance and listening to the rich stories which are the history of Australia's Indigenous people.

This program has multiple applications from long term unemployed to corporate executives. It operates on the premise that all people living in Australia in 2008 need to understand more of the Aboriginal cultures and in doing so will ultimately learn more of themselves and understand better the deep history of the land in which we live.

The current plight of Indigenous Australians and the need for reconciliation demonstrate the definite need for this type of program. There is currently no offering that we are aware of that is looking to achieve the outcomes of Welcome to Country.

All learning initiatives that organisations undertake for their people are important, however, this program is so fundamentally different in what is trying to achieve that it is worthy of a company's consideration and investment. It will provide a unique experience for those participating and will be followed up with a one day workshop in Melbourne. Not only is it beneficial to those attending but also to those in the Indigenous community as it provides employment and an opportunity to teach others what their elders have taught them.

The program will be offered to a select group of partners, both at a corporate and community level and promoted through the appropriate channels. To date Australia Post, The Lighthouse Foundation, Fairfax and Fraynework Multimedia are some of the clients who have experienced Welcome to Country.