From the Classroom - D1 (Ms Mayes)

Last week, we went on our first classroom excursion! Our trip to the Art Gallery was lots of fun and staff were very proud of the courage, kindness and respect shown by our students. We learnt about eel season (Buniya), eel traps (Beenyak) and the significance of Buniya for Wadawurrung people.

The fun began before we even arrived at the Gallery as we travelled on a bus AND in a lift! Once we arrived in the gallery space, Wadawurrung artist, Dr Deanne Gilson shared a painting by her mother (you might see this hanging in the Art Gallery of Ballarat when it reopens) and one of her own paintings showing an eel trap in action.

Then it was time for everyone to test out their artistic skills by drawing and painting buniya (eels). The children all had an opportunity to participate in traditional painting methods by crushing ochre which was then mixed with water and used for painting.

Dr Deanne Gilson shared some of her traditional knowledge and taught us a buniya (eel) dance.

Dr Deanne showed us how to draw and paint a section of a beenyak (eel trap). We hope to piece all of these together to create a giant eel trap for display.

We were very proud to share our new House names with Dr Deanne, especially Buniya (green) house!