Local artists were invited to work along side Cobar High School students on a large Aboriginal mural as part of the school’s NAIDOC Week celebrations last Wednesday.
Artists Sharron Ohlsen, Fiona Carlisle, Ann-Maree Johnson and Amber Rook assisted students to create the mural which depicted Aboriginal contemporary art.
Cobar High School’s Aboriginal coordinator Paige Jermyn said she finds students engaged and had a stronger sense of belonging within their school if it includes the community.
“What I loved about the mural was the students and staff of this school contributed to it, our guests and our fantastic artists,” Ms Jermyn said.
Traditional dancers from Uniting Burnside in Dubbo spoke to the students about cultural continuation and linked respect to their Aboriginal history.
“Their team coordinator Jesse Robinson was sensational and culturally proud,” Ms Jermyn said.
She explained that the dancers created an atmosphere where the students were engaged and were taught many traditional Aboriginal perspective movements.
“We had many activities throughout the day that allowed students to embrace our first people of our country and appreciate our Aboriginal culture,” Ms Jermyn said.
The students also had the chance to taste emu and kangaroo fillets and Jacqui Lawrence from Cobar Public School introduced them to Aboriginal dreaming and language.
Artefacts were also brought along for the students to witness traditional hunting tools and instruments by the local Aboriginal Lands Council.
