Djarragun College celebrates NAIDOC week

A Far North school has celebrated NAIDOC week with some huge celebrations including singing, dancing, food and art skills. Find out what they did.

Students from Djarragun College showed off their singing, dancing, food and art skills in a whole week of celebrations.

The school celebrated NAIDOC week from September 5 with a big event.

Djarragun College Netat Bama Kodomir (One People Voice) committee deputy chairman Richard Bignell said the first day started with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by the Dulabed and Mulunburra Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation.

“The day was filled with activities such as weaving, which was supported by the travelling community members, traditional ball games from around the world,” he said.

The annual art exhibition on September 6, Many Tribes, One Blood showcased artworks from the students.

Year 10 student Bindy Gallagher at the hospitality display at Djarragun College. Picture: Supplied

“Many of the artworks were available for sale, providing students with a purposeful exhibition to understand the entrepreneurial aspects of their talents,” Mr Bignell said.

“During this day the students participated in activities such as face painting, boomerang painting and small performances from various local and regional communities, including Cape and Torres Strait dance groups.”

Mr Bignell said the NAIDOC festivities on September 7 allowed the students to learn about the stories from other community members and elders.

“This was the day that all communities laid on the table 60,000 years of culture and to celebrate the survival of our stories and dance,” he said.

Joseph Banu and Tony Bani making the most of one of the workshops at the arts day at Djarragun Art Show. Picture: Emily Walker

“Everyone finished this day with a refreshed sense of purpose and a new spark and desire to continue to work together and understand each other to a deeper level and to support the college in the educational pursuit of excellence for their future generations.”

The week of celebrations was a huge hit with many of the students.

Djarragun College chief operating officer Taro Morrison said it was a wonderful celebration of the various cultures they had at the school.

Artwork from NAIDOC week at Djarragun College. Picture: Supplied

“Personally, I was extremely impressed by the quality and variety of dancing, singing, food and art the students and community members produced over the week,” he said.

“The students also commented about how engaging the week was for them to learn about other cultures and communities from across the region and to recognise and celebrate cultural diversity.”

Originally published as Djarragun College celebrates NAIDOC week