10 Jul 2018
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
This year's NAIDOC Week celebration was all about acknowledging the active and significant roles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women play in our lives; as leaders, activists and advocates for social change, and as our mothers, elders, grandmothers, aunties, sisters and daughters. The theme ‘Because of her, we can!' promotes the idea that we must never forget or undervalue the achievements and the contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made and continue to make to our local, state and national communities.
At WWPS we were fortunate to have been visited by eight Aunties from the Mingaletta Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island Corporation and Mr Stuart McMinn, Durrungan Cultural Dance Company, who was ably supported by a group of dancers, including none other than our own Noah Manuao (3M). Neisha Chamberlain (5/6H) opened the morning assembly by delivering a ‘Welcome to Country' followed by Aunty Elaine who spoke passionately about the importance of indigenous women past, present and future. Students were then treated to a performance from Mr McMinn's Cultural Dance Group. High levels of audience participation were evident with parents, carers, grandparents, friends, teachers and students all joining in the fun. Students then spent the rest of the day rotating between activities around the school including storytelling, language activities, painting, dancing and playing traditional Aboriginal ball games. A big thank you also to Kristie Waters for running the workshops on Wiradjuri language. The day proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience for all concerned.
