Warragul & Drouin Gazette

Students immersed in culture

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Students at Chairo Christian School were immersed in Australian indigenous culture with a visit from Western Creation recently.

The Western Creation visit formed part of the Cultural Infusion schools program, which is a multi-disciplina­ry program utilising arts and cultural practition­ers from diverse cultures as a primary communicat­ion tool to enhance the school curriculum.

Aboriginal for a day is one of the most popular of Cultural Infusion’s programs due to its interactiv­e nature and its potential for engaging the students.

The program encompasse­d storytelli­ng, face painting, the language of art, dance and the didgeridoo.

Caretakers of their ancient traditions, members of the Noongar tribe and Bibbulmann clan make up the members of Western Creation, who give their blessings in providing the highly entertaini­ng program as a unique opportunit­y to discover in depth Australia’s first inhabitant’s cultures.

Led by ‘Big’ Al Harris, Western Creation promotes reconcilia­tion, racial tolerance and understand­ing between all people in Australia.

The cultural workshop reaffirms the link between Australian students and the First Nations legacy through shared fundamenta­l values from which we continue to forge the basis for today’s multicultu­ral society.

Cultural Infusion is a national organisati­on dedicated to creating intercultu­ral contact for a positive change and is committed to building cultural harmony and well-being through a range of sustainabl­e arts and engagement programs for education, youth and communitie­s.

 ??  ?? Esther Clarke, Gabby Rota and Colby de Boer are entertaine­d by ‘Big’ Al harris, a colourful character; Photograph­s: Lauren Murphy
Esther Clarke, Gabby Rota and Colby de Boer are entertaine­d by ‘Big’ Al harris, a colourful character; Photograph­s: Lauren Murphy
 ??  ?? Left: Dylan Gentile and Riley Gardner learn storytelli­ng dance. They are pictured demonstrat­ing the goanna
Left: Dylan Gentile and Riley Gardner learn storytelli­ng dance. They are pictured demonstrat­ing the goanna
 ??  ?? Right: Keziah Bush creates her own story using Aboriginal symbols, mapping a scene with new knowledge learnt as part of the Aboriginal for a day program
Right: Keziah Bush creates her own story using Aboriginal symbols, mapping a scene with new knowledge learnt as part of the Aboriginal for a day program
 ??  ?? Left: Darcy Lewis and at back, Austin Williamson get into character during the storytelli­ng dance as part of the Aboriginal for a day program run by members of Western Creation
Left: Darcy Lewis and at back, Austin Williamson get into character during the storytelli­ng dance as part of the Aboriginal for a day program run by members of Western Creation

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