Kids from Hillview, Tamrookum, Darlington, Maroon and Rathdowney learned about Mununjali culture when Hillview State School hosted its annual NAIDOC celebrations recently.
It was the ninth annual Hillview State School NAIDOC for the Christmas Creek Small Schools network, run in partnership with Mununjali Housing with support from Education Queensland, Jymbilung House, Queensland Health and Beaucare.
Students got to participate in art workshops with local Mununjali artists, play traditional games, take part in didgeridoo and dance workshops and learn about language.
They heard songs and stories with the Mununjali Traditional Elders, read the Mununjali book, Jarjum Gurema and learned about the 2022 NAIDOC theme ‘Get up, stand up, show up’.
Activities at ‘free range learning stations’ ran throughout the day including a weaving corner, NAIDOC colouring in, beading, clay echidnas, and Australian animal decorations.
The event was also an opportunity for the children to mix with older generations, with Jymbilung House Social Support Group clients attending the day.
Jymbilung client Val Williams gave a glowing review of her NAIDOC experience at Hillview.
“The NAIDOC day at Hillview was absolutely brilliant. I’ve never felt so peaceful, the morning tea & lunch was so well presented,” she said.
“Thank you to all who organised it. God willing, I’ll be there next year.”
Hillview Principal Sharon Ritchie said it was an important learning experience for students.
“Working closely with the Mununjali community gives all our students a chance to engage in reconciliation and to develop recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures,” she said.
“As educators, we have a great responsibility to acknowledge the history of our country and to prepare our young, future leaders to be culturally inclusive and respectful.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures is one of the three cross-curriculum priorities of the Australian Curriculum and is embedded in all learning areas.”
