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Geelong Deanery |
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Innovative New Resource for ReconciliationLore of the Land: Reconciling spirit and place in Australia’s story Since its publication late last year, this state-of-the-art multimedia contribution to furthering understanding of Aboriginal spirituality and reconciliation has only grown in its relevance and timeliness. Our Prime Minister’s recent indefinite ‘rescheduling’ of the official process of reconciliation, his appeal to opinion poles that apparently indicate the Australian public’s negativity towards reconciliation, and his denial of the ‘stolen generation’, put new urgency into educating about these matters. Termed an ‘interactive documentary’, Lore of the Land consists of a CD-ROM and linked website. It is the result of collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, writers, storytellers, musicians, web designers, programmers and filmmakers. Characteristic of Indigenous culture is a close relationship with the land. This innovative resource aims to further understanding of Indigenous culture by inviting the user to explore, understand and reflect on their own relationship with and love of the land. Through this process they are led to alter their perceptions about how they view our country. The product offers multiple pathways to issues of identity, belonging and healing, using videos, interviews, photographs, graphics, an extensive timeline, music, games and, of course, text. And while it contains a wealth of information, Lore of the Land seeks chiefly to be an interactive experience that changes perceptions and hearts, as much as minds. Through a variety of means, the user is challenged to reflect and respond to what they encounter in using Lore of the Land. Significant among these means is a personalised electronic journal in which they can record their responses. This is one of the most sophisticated CD-ROM products I have used, and certainly the most professional and innovative that has a spiritual dimension, even in comparison with overseas-produced products. The use of multimedia is very creative and the design and functionality is excellent. The interaction of video, graphics and music is seamless and creative. The CD-ROM is, I suspect, packed to its upper limits of space with electronic files. The website, to which it is linked, not only gives access to still more resources, but allows for Lore of the Land to be constantly updated with new information and developments. Lore of the Land was produced by Sr Adele Howard rsm, Director of Fraynework Multimedia Productions, which she established for the Sisters of Mercy in 1995 as a multimedia facility for purposes of education and communication. The new project is based on her belief that: ‘Acknowledging the land as sacred opens our hearts to mend fractured relationships between ourselves, the land and each other. With this acknowledgment, the healing can take place.’ The CD-ROM costs works on both PCs and Macintosh computers and sells for $90. To order Lore of the Land contact Fraynework Multimedia, 720 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington 3078, tel: (03) 9499 9172, fax: (03) 9499 3897, email: contact@fraynework.com.au. For further information about Lore of the Land (including computer system requirements) visit the website at http://www.loreoftheland.com.au. Kevin Mark |
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