ULUMBARRA THEATRE - GR 4/5/6

On Tuesday, our Grade 4, 5 and 6 students attended a number of events organised by the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Art Gallery, Dja Dja Wrung Corporation and the Ulumburra Theatre as part of Reconciliation Week.

 

On Tuesday, our Grade 4, 5 and 6 students attended a number of events organised by the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Art Gallery, Dja Dja Wrung Corporation and the Ulumburra Theatre as part of Reconciliation Week.

 

In Environmental Education in recent weeks, the students have been learning about Indigenous Art, the 6 indigenous seasons of the year and their colours, bush tucker and information about the stolen generation.

 

The activities the students were involved in built on these areas of knowledge and were an excellent addition to what the students had been taught.

 

At the Art Gallery, we studied some large work by indigenous artists, comparing styles and meanings. The students were asked to write down some questions from their observations.

 

Following this activity, the students heard from artist Damien Saunders (pictured) who shared the process and stages he works through in producing his art. He shared the Yorta Yorta traditional symbols he uses in his work. The students then had some time to write a short story of their own and then show this story using the symbols Damien had shared. These symbol stories are being produced as bookmarks for each student.

 

After lunch, we watched a musical concert that shared aspects of indigenous culture and stories of the past. We learnt about the feuding volcanoes (Mt. Franklin – Daylesford and Mt. Tarrengower – Maldon) and the possum skin baby from Charlton. The concert featured well known performers Kucha Edwards and Emma Donovan and was a mixture of ballads, rock numbers and featured a range of traditional dances.

 

At the completion of the concert, there was a 30 minute question and answer session with the performers that allowed the students to find out a little more of their personal background.

 

Well done to the students for the way they involved themselves in all activities, taking the opportunity to broaden their horizons, develop new skills and understand our history from a very different perspective.