Aboriginal Community & the Spark of Life Philosophy
Terry Koodah Cornwall – Aboriginal Elder & Spark of Life Master Practitioner
Elder & Cultural Advisor – Halls Head College, Mandurah
Terry Koodah Cornwall is a Noongar Elder from the Wilman Clan of the Noongar Nation. He was a child of the Stolen Generation* experiencing the trauma of separation from his family at a young age.
Koodah is a Leader who has been working tirelessly for his people and family on a community, state, national and international level to help make positive changes for his family, Aboriginal people and the wider community.
Koodah has worked for the Department of Education; for over a decade he managed an Aboriginal Corporation; he worked for the Department of Parks & Wildlife for over 20 years and retired as their State Cultural Coordinator.
For over a decade, Koodah has been involved in developing, designing and implementing award-winning programs to break the cycle of poverty, generational trauma and engagement of Aboriginal people in the justice system. These programs enable them to once again become valued and positive contributing members of their family and community.
Koodah is committed to lighting the fire within each person and reconnecting Aboriginal people with their culture, community and land to heal their spirits.
In 2017, Koodah and his son Jerome participated together in the Spark of Life Master Leadership Program. During the course they both experienced a deepened connection to each other and the healing of past traumas.
Koodah, his wife Sue and daughter Delvene have provided support at the International Spark of Life Leadership Program over several years, sharing their cultural wisdom and experience, facilitating discussions around trauma healing, and sharing the timeless ceremony of lighting the fire.
Jerome Cornwall – Spark of Life Master Practitioner
Cultural Justice Adviser, Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health
Jerome Cornwall is a young Aboriginal man from a culturally rich family upholding the essence of their Aboriginal tradition and honouring it at the highest level.
Jerome has worked in the community and mental health sectors and with the homeless.
Jerome grew up as a young Aboriginal child of parents who were both of the Stolen Generation in a world that inflicted hurt, disregard and showed no respect – bruising and breaking his spirit to a point where he questioned his life on earth.
In 2017, Jerome and his father Koodah participated together in the Spark of Life Master Leadership Program. During the 3-week intensive program they both experienced a deepened connection to each other as well as personal healing and Jerome has grown to become a young leader and voice of support for his community.
Jerome has always had in his heart the love, compassion and desire needed to enable other people to work through their hurts and pains to grow as human beings. Through the Spark of Life Master Leadership Program, Jerome identified that, ‘Unconditional love with no expectations gives hope to those where hope may have been lost.’
Sue Khan-Cornwall – Spark of Life Master Practitioner
Sue is a Bibbulmun Yorga, and Elder who was a child of the Stolen Generation. Sue and her five brothers were taken away from the family in 1967 when she was 9 years old. She spent six years of her life in a mission, which was the enforced government policy of the day. This had far reaching effects on the entire family unit and still affects their lives today as they don’t understand why it happened.
In 2012, Sue and her daughter Delvene became the first Aboriginal Spark of Life Master Practitioners.
Participating in the Spark of Life Master Leadership Program gave Sue the confidence and opportunity to be a voice for her people and share her own personal journey towards healing. Sue believes that the Spark of Life Philosophy to compassionate human relationships will help heal her community.
In 2013, Sue received a standing ovation from the audience at the International Conference for the Society for the Arts in Dementia Care for her presentation on her life story and her experience of the Spark of Life Philosophy.
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Delvene Cornwall – Spark of Life Master Practitioner
Health Promotion Officer, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Department of Health, Gosnells WA
Delvene Cornwall is a Bibbulmun Yorga, Bibbulmen Whadjuk, Ballardong Yorga and Willmun Yorga.
Delvene is a child of parents who were both of the Stolen Generation and has witnessed first-hand the impact of profound trauma. Delvene has grown to become a strong support for her family and the wider Aboriginal Community.
Delvene has worked in the health, justice, corporate, government, education and community sectors throughout Western Australia and has been involved in training and facilitation for over 20 years. She has worked across teams and client groups to give them a deeper understanding of cultural matters, clients servicing and team development.
Delvene is a deeply cultural woman who continues to work with women to enable them to understand and step into their potential. She is passionate about personal wellbeing, culture, creating a just and inclusive society where each person is valued and able to positively contribute.
In 2012, Delvene and her Mother Sue became the first Aboriginal Spark of Life Master Practitioners.
For Delvene participating in the Spark of Life Master Leadership Program meant having the time to work together with her Mother on their own personal healing supported by the Spark of Life Philosophy.
In 2013, Delvene gave a presentation at the International Conference for the Society for the Arts in Dementia Care on Bringing the Spark of Life Philosophy to the Aboriginal Community and Understanding the Aboriginal Culture.
Click here to view the brochure of this conference >>
*Stolen Generations: children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent removed from their families by government agencies or church missions between approximately 1905-1967.