On Tuesday traditional Aboriginal games, dancing, singing, trips to Baiame cave, artifact talks, painting and a barbecue lunch kept students busy when all the small schools in the district gathered at Milbrodale for their annual NAIDOC celebrations.
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This is the second year the school has hosted the event and it makes perfect sense says principal Kirsten Kime with such a significant Aboriginal site on their doorstep.
Just a few kilometres from the school, along a dirt road, up a flight of stairs and on the walls of a cave nestled in the foothills of the surrounding mountain range is what is believed to be an important example of Aboriginal rock art.
A sign near the caves entrance explains that the stories of this particular place are not known but it is believed by the traditional owners, the Wanaruah people, to be a painting of Baiame, the maker of all things.
During the celebrations students were transported up to the cave where Jenny Campbell from the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group greeted them and took them on a guided tour of the site.
She explained the significance of the painting and how “after Baiame journeyed amongst the people and having imparted to them the necessary knowledge, lore and ceremony for successful existence, he returned to the sky.”
When he did so, Baiame stepped off at Mt Yengo to the south and created its flattened summit, she said.
Ms Kime said the day was not only a chance to learn about Aboriginal history and culture but also a great opportunity for all the small schools to get together.
“We have all five schools here, Broke, Jerrys Plains, Mount Pleasant, Kirkton and of course Milbrodale,” she said.
“But it would not be possible without the funding we receive from Coal & Allied that allows us to provide lunch for everyone.”
Students were rotated around five activities and thankfully everything ran smoothly, she added.