THE KINDY class of Goodstart Bowen Early Learning Centre has hosted a very special NAIDOC ceremony to mark NAIDOC Week.
Held across the country from July 7 to 14, 2024, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with this year’s theme being ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.
Children at the Goodstart Bowen Early Learning Centre celebrated with a performance, on July 16.
“These little superstars performed in front of family and friends, as well as Bowen’s Liaison Officer Darryl Paul,” Early Childhood Teacher Marion Collison said.
“Whitsunday Regional Council’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Michelle Wright also attended, as well as members of the leadership team of Bowen State School and St Mary’s Catholic School.”
Ms Collison said, to start the ceremony, Darryl Paul welcomed everyone to country and delivered an Acknowledgment of Country.
“This was followed by the children’s Acknowledgment of Country and performance of their very own rendition of the Barramundi Song,” she said.
“Mr Paul conducted a smoking ceremony, leading the way into the children completing their march of walking on country, connecting to Mother Earth, on which they play and learn.”
To conclude the ceremony, the children sang and completed actions to the Torres Strait Island song ‘Taba Naba’, both in Meriam Mir language and the English version.
A family and community morning tea was offered to celebrate.
At Goodstart Bowen Early Learning Centre, Indigenous perspectives are embedded daily, enriching the children’s learning opportunities, Ms Collison said.
“We have embraced NAIDOC and our ceremony to deepen the children’s knowledge, recognition and respect of cultures, and perspectives of our First Nations People, whilst celebrating their past, present and emerging achievements,” she said.
