MARRUNG UPDATE
Always was, Always will be.
MARRUNG: Wemba Wemba word for the Murray Cypress pine tree – representing branches of education and knowledge.
Marrung_Aboriginal_Education_Plan_2016-2026.pdf
Marrung in Action
Secretary's Marrung Award winners | vic.gov.au
Celebrating Culture Through Music and Story
Our didgeridoo workshops with Sean Candy bring the Marrung Vision to life, celebrating strong Koorie identity, culture, and community in every classroom.
This project honours men’s business, fosters cultural pride, and connects students to Country through the power of music. By leading this work in a specialist school setting and sharing it more widely, we’re helping shape future learning pathways, potentially including VCE Music. (Read more in the full story: Trailblazing Didgeridoo Project.)
The visit from the Djirri Djirri dancers further reflects our commitment to Marrung, by working to embed Koorie identity, culture, and pride into everyday learning, for EVERY student and staff member as well to help deliver on the DET and VAEAI shared vision for Victoria: a state where the rich and thriving culture, knowledge and experience of First Nations peoples are celebrated by all Victorians.
By making these cultural experiences a regular part of our curriculum, we’re creating meaningful opportunities for staff and students to learn with and from First Nations peoples, strengthening understanding, respect, and connection across our whole school community.
Trailblazing Didgeridoo Project Hits the Right Note - Just Boys
On 29 July and 5 August, our male students took part in something truly special, two hands-on didgeridoo workshops led by Palawa man and celebrated musician Sean Candy.
Sean shared the story of the didgeridoo, its origins, how it’s made, and its deep cultural significance. Students explored its connection to identity, Country, and men’s business, each using their own sanitised practice instrument to create deep drones, animal calls, and rhythmic patterns in a safe, welcoming space.
The workshops also introduced circular breathing, a technique that keeps sound flowing without pausing for breath. Students embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, swapping tips, laughing at the funny sounds they made, and celebrating each other’s progress.
This pilot program is more than just music lessons. It’s a powerful step toward embedding the Marrung Vision, strong Koorie identity, culture, and pride, into our whole-school learning. It’s inclusive, meaningful, and a celebration of culture for students from all backgrounds.
Melton Specialist School has already been invited to showcase this trailblazing project at the regional Principal’s Forum, highlighting our leadership in arts and cultural education.
We see exciting potential for this work to grow into a future VCE Music subject, across the state and beyond.
We’re proud to be leading the way.
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