What a busy term we have had. I have loved working with different classes each week!

Recently I led Kindergarten on an exploration of different environments in Australia and how these environments influenced the way First Nations peoples hunted and lived.

It was fascinating to compare the environment and climate of our local Awabakal Country with Yilka Country in the central desert region of WA. We also explored the environment and climate of Waibene (Thursday Island) in the Torres Strait. Kindergarten thinks the traditional owners of Waibene would have been very good at fishing and making nets and canoes!

It was great fun thinking about the places we love to visit on Awabakal Country and what resources our local environment provided for the Awabakal people long ago when it was only Aboriginal people living here in Australia.

Significant Cultural Events

4th September: Indigenous Literacy Day

Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of Indigenous culture, stories, language and literacy. This year’s theme was Strength In Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations.

By getting involved in activities we focus our attention on the disadvantages experienced in remote communities and other places in Australia.

Click HERE for more information

13th September: Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

This is the anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 September 2007.

The Declaration is the most comprehensive international commitment in addressing the rights of Indigenous peoples.

It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world.

Click HERE for more information.

25th September : Cathy Freeman Gold

On 15 September 2000 First Nations athlete Cathy Freeman from Kuku Yalanji people of far north Queensland and the Birri Gubba people of central Queensland lit the Olympic flame in the spectacular opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.

Ten days later she won the gold medal in the women’s 400-metre race, achieving her greatest goal.

Click HERE for more information.

Danielle Shaw

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Education Teacher