NAIDOC Day 2024 at Hay Public School
Students Henry Cannon (left) and Grant Dwyer after their NAIDOC art rotation. Image: Jenny Dwyer.
By Krista Schade
National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) was observed at Hay Public School last week.
Hay Local Aboriginal Land Council (Hay LALC) Chair Tara Dixon said the day was sponsored by Mawambul Co Management and Bay.Wa.re.
“Marrambidya dance group from Griffith performed and we had Aunty Debbie Wood from Wagga Wagga to show the children how to weave bracelets,” Ms Dixon told The Riverine Grazier.
“At the craft table wooden boomerangs and Australian animals were painted or etched with Aboriginal inspired designs.
Traditional Johnny cakes and chef Joe Wilson’s kangaroo stew was a hit.
“Kangaroo stew is a family recipe passed down from Joseph’s great grandmother, and utilised any native herbs available.
“The NAIDOC stew included old man saltbush, Tasmanian pepper berry, mountain pepper leaf, lemon myrtle, kunzea, mint, coastal rosemary and native thyme. Both were extremely popular and most definitely a crowd pleaser.”
“In their rotations the children watched an animated video about the Gugaa (the goanna totem) then all had discussions about the Dreamtime story and the students created illustrations that will be published into a book.”
Junior correspondent for The Riverine Grazier, Heath Thomson filed this first-hand report.
“On Thursday Hay Public School (HPS) held a NAIDOC Day. Jamie Woods gave a Welcome to Country. After five dancers performed students from kindergarten to year two started their group rotations. These included a story about Gugaa (meaning goanna in Wiradjuri language), eating traditional food, weaving and painting.
“After a sausage sizzle stages two and three started the same rotations. At recess people were offered kangaroo sausages and emu rissoles.
“Thank you to HPS, Mrs Kennedy, Nari Nari Tribal Council and Hay Landcare for the day.
“It was fun learning about Aboriginal Culture and I am happy we had a good NAIDOC Day for my last year at HPS.”
Organiser Ms Dixon also thanked those who helped make the day a success.
“Many thanks to Sharon Kennedy, Jade Auldist and Jenny Dwyer from Murrumbidgee Landcare West. Thanks to long term member and Elder Floss Fitzpatrick, NNTC, Hay LALC staff and Joe Wilson for all their efforts also in making the day possible and a huge success. Thanks also to Kirsten and Laura for cooking the traditional emu and kangaroo and the sausage sizzle.”
The team who made NAIDOC Day a success - (Back from left) Elder Floss Fitzpatrick, NNTC’s Kai Hearne and Dion Wait, HPS teacher Sharon Kennedy, NNTC’s Tiem Wilson and Riverina Local Land Services’ Jade Auldist.
Front row: NNTC’s Patrick Stewart, Jermaine Dixon, Tara Dixon, Samantha Woods and Murrumbidgee Landcare’s Jenny Dwyer. Image: Nari Nari Tribal Council.
