NAIDOC Week Visitors
On Monday this week at St. Mary’s we celebrated NAIDOC week exploring the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC week is Voice, Treaty, Truth. Let’s work together for a shared future.
We had visitors from our Local Aboriginal Lands Council (LALC) along with dancers from River Spirit Cultural Arts from Forbes.
Led by Yarangiirri, the cultural dancers began our celebration with an astonishing performance delighting the entire school. We saw kangaroos, goannas, emus, echidnas, hunting and ceremonial rituals come to life.
We then broke off into our MJR groups to participate in cultural activities lead by the volunteers and teachers.
The students enjoyed boomerang, leaf and rock painting. Listened to Dreamtime stories with Uncle Bernie. Played the Didgeridoo (boys only), clap sticks and boomerang throwing with Angel and Brayden. They heard about Aboriginal Astronomy with Linton whilst creating a glitter constellation. Some students also combined to make a Rainbow Serpent whilst others some learnt the cultural dances with the Yarangiirri and the Dance Group.
A massive thank you to the Aimee Davis from LALC and the many volunteers that led activities.
Thank you also to The River Spirit Cultural Group. What an amazing way to start our celebrations. We thoroughly enjoyed your performance, students and teachers are still talking about it.
The day included lots of fun alongside learning and cultural understanding. Bravo to everyone involved. Looking forward to next year.
Our students have their own favourite to report:
“NAIDOC day was very interesting and educational. I liked the Aboriginal dancing the best.” Hugo Harper
“It was a really great day and I loved doing the astronomy with Uncle Linton.” Ava McClintock
“We got to do great activities like painting boomerangs and playing the didgeridoo.” Harry Morton
“I got to paint a boomerang that I even get to keep. I had fun playing the didgeridoo.” Edward Tulloch
“I enjoyed learning Aboriginal words and rock painting.” Grace Kellahan
“I got to learn a lot about the Aboriginal culture.” Finn Brown