Cultural News
Indigenous Learning Around the Classrooms
This term our students are exploring inventions and inventors. There are many inventions that were first created by indigenous people. The children in Grade 1/2 have learnt about toys that were played with aboriginal children, such as rocks or shells that were used to represent elders and family members.
We explored toys that were small versions of adult tools such as spears, boomerangs, shields and digging sticks. We learnt about the pandanus throwing toy from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, where pandanus grows. As an experiment, the children made their own spinning toy using two strips of paper. We had fun making the toy spin.
We have learnt about the possum skin ball used to play marngrook. The word 'Marngrook' comes from the language of the Gunditjmara people, and translates to 'game ball'. Historically, Marngrook is played between two teams with 50-100 men and women per side and a possum skin ball. The rules are pretty simple: each team competes to catch the ball after it's kicked high in the air. There are strong links to our AFL game today.
A well known inventor was David Unaipon.
Some of David Unaipon's inventions include an improved hand tool for shearing sheep, a centrifugal motor, a multi-radial wheel and a mechanical propulsion device. Unfortunately, he unable to get financial support to develop many of his own ideas in his lifetime. Despite David Unaipon’s many inventions, and despite how well-known and acclaimed he was in Australia, he still faced discrimination because of his Indigenous background and was often refused a room in hotel establishments. David Unaipon died at the age of 94. A man of great intelligence and vision, he was well before his time and his achievements truly speak for themselves. He can be seen on the $50 note.
New - FIRE Carries Excursion
On Thursday 21st of November our FIRE Carriers and our Yr 5/6 Indigenous students will spend time on Country up at Barmah. Students will ride on the Kingfisher Cruise boat to explore the Dungala River (Murray River). They will also be taking for a walk through the Barmah State Forest to learn about significant sites and to visit the Dharnya Centre. Permission notes will be out soon.
Workshops
Girls Indigenous Program
Boys Indigenous Program
Acknowledgement of Country
At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.
