Year 5/6 Mainstream

Celebrating Learning

Yalinguth Walking Tour

Grade 5/6 Excursion 

Yesterday, the grade 5/6s went on an excursion to Fitzroy to do the Yalinguth Project walking tour. It was exceptionally fun! My favourite part about it was when we got to stand under the giant fig tree in Carlton Gardens where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would gather and discuss their rights. We listened to Elders talking about how they got their land rights and fought for the 1967 referendum. We visited an alleyway where we stood in front of the building where Aboriginal activists printed a newspaper to share information that they would not have been allowed to print in regular newspapers at the time. 

We then walked to the original building that the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service was set up in. We heard a story from Aunty Elma Thorpe telling us about how and why VAHS was set up. Finally, we finished in Atherton Gardens where our tour guide Jason told us about how this garden used to be a significant gathering place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There is a sculpture here commemorating the Stolen Generations and we listened to Uncle Archie Roach tell us a story about his experience growing up in Fitzroy. Jason played us some music with his didgeridoo and clapsticks, and we finished the tour with some quiet reflection in the garden. This excursion was very informative, and I learnt a lot. Recount by Rumi 

Rohan says, “My favourite part of the excursion we went on yesterday was the very first part, where we were under the fig tree. It was amazing how hundreds of years ago Aboriginal people had stood under that very tree, rallying to be counted as citizens in the constitution. I’d also never known that that building next to the fig tree used to be a parliament building! Jason’s stories were really cool and I'd love to do it again.”

 

Maddy says, “It was very fun.  I liked it when a recording of Uncle Archie Roach told a story of how he found his family after so many years. And I liked the parts where Jason played music while we were walking.”

 

Lewis says, “Yesterday at Yalinguth I enjoyed hearing about Aboriginal culture and learning about things that I can share with my family. My favourite part was listening to the music and walking around. I also enjoyed learning about the fig tree and the newspaper (called The Kooria).”

 

Scarlett says, “I liked seeing Fitzroy’s history and all the special things and features. One of the things that I really liked was the fig tree, seeing it all in its glory and the final thing I liked was all of the walking.”

 

Luna says, “On Wednesday the 16 October, the 5/6s from Thornbury Primary School travelled on the 11 tram and then walked to the Carlton Gardens to learn about the Indigenous past of Fitzroy, mainly Gertrude St. A bit I enjoyed was when we were walking on the street and listening to the different facts play on the speaker . I found this tour very informative and I enjoyed learning about this topic.”