A Word from the SAF (October 2024)
In celebration of NAIDOC Week and the theme “Keep the Fire Burning! Black, Loud and Proud,” the students at Hay Public School had a wonderful day learning about Aboriginal culture and creating a story book.
The day began with Morning Assembly, featuring a Welcome to Country by Jamie Woods, an introduction to NAIDOC Week, and captivating performances of traditional dances and didgeridoo music with the Marrambidya dance group from Griffith.
Students took part in various activities. They learned about Dreaming and the story of “The Gugaa”, reimagining it through colorful illustrations and thoughtful reflections. They decorated boomerangs, created scratch art animals, and learned about traditional foods like Johnnie cakes and Chef Joe Wilson’s family recipe for ‘kangaroo stew’ infused with native herbs. Students also tried their hand at weaving and created bracelets with Aunty Debbie Wood from Wagga.
The BBQ lunch of emu rissoles and kangaroo sausages added a unique and tasty touch.
The students’ artwork and writing have been compiled into a beautiful storybook. Their creativity and enthusiasm shine through each page. This story book stands as a reminder of the importance of keeping the fire of Aboriginal culture burning bright.
NAIDOC Day at Hay Public School was a resounding success. It was a day of celebration, learning, and connection.
Thank you to Mrs Sharon Kennedy from Hay Public School, generous support from Mawambul Co Management and Bay.Wa.re, Hay Plains Landcare, Riverina Local Land Services and Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc.
This article was written by Jade Auldist. Jade is the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator for the Riverina region. Her role supports farmers, industry and community groups (including Landcare Groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices.
For further information on this article, please contact Jade at jade.auldist@lls.nsw.gov.au.
