A Far South Coast primary school has embraced the ‘Keep the Fire Burning’ theme of NAIDOC Week.
A new Music and Creative Culture program at Narooma Public School has seen two songs and music videos produced that celebrate local Yuin culture and language.
The school community came together to witness the culmination of months of hard work by the students and dedicated teachers at the final assembly of term two.
As part of a full morning of NAIDOC related events, the assembly, hosted by four Year 6 students, began with a welcome address from principal Paul Sweeney, and showcased song, music and poetry as well as a video involving more than 300 students from across the school.
Music teacher, Michelle Garcia and Aboriginal Education Officer, Lynne Thomas, had been working hard in this cross curricular class, so students could learn everything from landcare management and protecting the environment to indigenous culture and history all in one.
“We chose these topics and these particular areas to focus on, and that’s where the songs developed so that we can teach students these outcomes,” Ms Garcia said.
“It’s really important because it combines other outcomes that the Department of Education is really wanting to bring into the classroom, like developing respect for Aboriginal languages and Aboriginal culture and history, so they can do it in an engaging environment and music is an engaging way to learn.”
Ms Garcia described the two songs that celebrate our local Yuin culture and language.
“Yilaga Bidhu is all about the hand back of traditional ceremonial sites back to the Yuin people. So you’re talking about Guluga Mountain (Mount Dromadary), Nadjanuga Mountain (next to Guluga), Barangubra Island (Montague Island) and Biamanga Mountain (not far from Guluga) back to people like Guboo Ted Thomas, which was sort of around the late 1970’s and it was about the political activism that he made in order to get those sites back and proving that they were actually sacred which he eventually did.”
“Country Comes First is actually about traditional fire stick burning, land care management and protecting the environment as well as looking after country and understanding the connection to country that Aboriginal people have and how important that is.”
“It’s been a massive effort by everyone involved, and we’re so excited to share the songs.”
Ms Garcia had this message for all students and young people across the Far South Coast.
“Keep the fire burning this NAIDOC Week, understand the traditions that are held in Aboroginal culture and the importance of our indigenous language, stories and cultures and to enjoy learning more about it.”
Images and Videos: Narooma Public School