Throughout their time together, our Chisholm learners explored the rich historical tapestry of the Wonnarua people through Dreamtime stories, imaginative play and dance, and creative arts. It was a memorable experience that has sparked an interest in further exploring their local communities.
Dreamtime stories
In the Yarning circle, Uncle Warren shared the stories of Baimae Cave, The Greedy Lizard, and The Rainbow Serpent. Baimae is the Wonnarua’s creation spirit and Keeper of the Hunter Valley in NSW. Baimae’s stories and teachings are of respect, community and resilience. Together, these Dreamtime stories encouraged our learners to think about:
- The importance of respecting sacred sites and the natural world
- How greed and selfishness can lead to negative consequences and why we should value generosity and be considerate of others
- Why we need to live harmoniously with the natural environment and respect the natural order that connects all living things
Uncle Warren reminded the children that “when we see the wedge-tailed eagle, we know it is Baimae protecting us and we look after Baimae’ land, the Wonnarua land.”
Creating a sense of belonging
Joining Kerri-Ann in imaginative play and dance, the children embodied kangaroos, koalas, emus, snakes and crocodiles, with each animal holding deep cultural significance. Through movement and play, this immersive experience provided the children with an opportunity to engage with Aboriginal stories and symbols.
Kerri-Ann and Uncle Warren guided the children in a creative arts experience where they traced their hands onto paper using crayons. The children explore the textures and elements of the land through Aboriginal symbols. Symbolising each child’s identity and connection to the Land, the children learned the importance of handprint art because it is a point in time and can inspire what comes next in our lifetime.
“I believe hand stencil art will be a starting point, and a way to build connection. From there, we will think where to next, learn and embed the Wonnarua culture,” said Kerri-Ann.
Reflecting on Country
This experience provided a profound connection to Country and inspired the continuation of St Nicholas Early Education Chisholm’s focus on exploring cultures within our communities. It was a meaningful step towards embedding the rich cultural heritage of the Wonnarua people into daily practices and fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Aboriginal culture among our learners.
