Merimbula Public School proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week 2019 and acknowledged the theme for 2019 of Voice, Treaty, Truth.
We acknowledged the notion of ‘Walking With Us’ in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. This reflects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ desire to have their voice heard after being excluded when the Australian Constitution came into being and to have an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.
Merimbula Public School was abuzz with excitement with the talented Christine Anu attending our NAIDOC Week 2019 Assembly.
Our school assembly began with local elder Aunty Colleen Dixon giving the Welcome to Country. Our principal Ms Michelle Hulme also acknowledged country, Aunty Colleen and the late respected elder and community leader Aunty Margaret Rose Dixon, before introducing Christine Anu to share her new performance ‘In Conversation and Song’, supported by guitarist Raymund Shek.
Christine shared stories about her childhood in the Torres Strait Islands, and taught our students some of her language. Before long our students were singing and dancing alongside Christine to songs in language as well as her 1995 hits ‘Party’ and ‘My Island Home’.
“The Merimbula Public School kids were vibrant, energetic and engaged,” shared Christine. “Their grasp of the language, the language songs and dances was wonderful. I walked out feeling like I’ve got a brand new school who can speak my language, who have embraced my culture”.
Christine and Raymund dined at Vicolo on Sunday evening with our school staff, as well as elders and members of the Bega and Eden communities. Christine shared that she would be taking home some special memories to treasure and that she would love to keep coming back after making some special friendships.
This was such an amazing way to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
