SandSong

On Wednesday 31st August our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students had the opportunity to head to Melbourne to watch a performance by the Bangarra Dance Theatre. The performance told the story of the Wangkatjungka and Walmajarri people of the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions through the narrative of dance. 

Students found the performance thoroughly enjoyable to observe the impressive chorography and also deeply impactful. It was viewed as a great day by all and also gave students the opportunity to communicate and connect with others. 

Mr. Thorn

On Wednesday the 31st of August, Eighteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Rochester Secondary College had the privilege of attending the SandSong performance by Bangarra in Melbourne. 

We left Rochester by 8.15am where we had a 3 1/2 hour bus trip to the Arts Centre in Melbourne. After arriving early we had a chance to spend some time in the city and explore Federation Square. 

After a while we walked back to the Arts Centre where we were ushered into the theatre along with hundreds of other Indigenous students. We all got a huge fright at the start of the performance as it started with a huge ‘BANG’. The introduction to the performance featured three parts which represented the story of the stolen generation. Overall the performance was a 75 minute dance piece which explained the confronting history of how white settlement affected the Indigenous population. 

After the performance we had the opportunity to ask questions and speak with the dancers of the Bangarra company and hear their own stories and experiences. After the performance we piled out of the theatre and set a course straight for Maccas.

Thank you to Ms. Doller for organising the excursion and thank you to Mr. Thorn and Miss. Kellett for taking us on the day. It was a great experience for all students involved.

Taya Munro