Dadirri - a First Nation’s Program

PMPS experienced Dadirri inner deep listening and quiet still awareness – a First Nation’s program.

Last term, the Year 4s got to experience a unique First Nations wellbeing incursion series, “Dadirri”, led by Highway Foundation. This initiative brings the ancient wisdom of Elder Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, Senior Australian of the Year 2021, and the Ngan’gikurrunggur community in Nauiyu, Northern Territory, to contemporary school settings. 

Port Melbourne Primary School was one of six schools chosen in Australia to pilot this program, and the students were brought on a lively exploration of First Nations geography, self-reflective exercises, and active games to cement their learnings. This initiative was a wonderful complement to their inquiry program based around Indigenous history and culture this term, making the collaboration even more timely and opportune. 

The school community were fortunate enough to be joined by Federal Member of the Labour Party, Josh Burns MP, on a special Dadirri wrap-up involving music and dance. Mr Burns, together with Principal Cain and a sea of excited Year 4 students came together to perform rhythm stick choreography, reminiscent of the traditional clapstick instrument used in Indigenous performances to rhythmically accompany vocal chanting. 

Mr Burns shared with the Year 4s his experience of recently being on Country in Alice Springs when he visited Uluru, and the cultural importance of its preservation. The fun-filled day marked the end of a 5-week program that provided many important insights into First Nations cultural diversity, the importance of deep inner listening, and enriching their capacity to form high quality connections to self, others, nature, and the broader world. 

We thank Highway Foundation, all Year 4 staff, and Josh Burns MP for bringing this initiative to life for the PMPS community.