Indigenous Culture

Workshop with Celebrated Author, Performer and Poet Boori Monty Pryor

by John Collins

Year 9 Coordinator

On Thursday 20 April, Boori visited to speak with our Year 9 students about his journey as an author, the importance of storytelling in culture and indigenous issues in regards to the students’ impending visit to the Top End in early June. Boori was the inaugural Australian Children's  Laureate (a role he shared with Alison Lester) during 2012-13.

During the workshop Boori shared stories from his life in a manner that engaged students and had them all laughing. He asked students about their expectations for the upcoming  two-week Year 9 Experience  to the Northern Territory and then used their responses to generate further discussion and opportunities for stories.

Time flew and soon enough it was the end of the school day. A lucky few stayed behind to hear more stories and learn a traditional mosquito dance from Palm Island. Students were dancing around the Library to the sounds of the didgeridoo and  boomerangs used as clap sticks, swatting imaginary mosquitoes with gum leaves. Not your average Thursday afternoon - but a thoroughly enjoyable one for all of us.

Several of Boori's books are on the shelves in the Library if students would like to continue with his storytelling.