To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2019 – with its theme of ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth.’ – free family-friendly workshops were held daily at Darling Quarter from Monday 8 to Thursday 11 July.

Hosted in partnership with the local Koomurri Aboriginal Incursions, and held in the foyer of the Monkey Baa Theatre at Darling Quarter, a series of engaging, hands-on workshops were offered free of charge during the school holiday period.

The workshops included:

Didgeridoo Show – traditional and contemporary solo didgeridoo performances featuring full traditional costume, and traditional and contemporary didgeridoo sounds and rhythms.

Face Painting – the Indigenous tutor brought along traditional ochre paint which they used to paint the faces of interested children.

Song and Dance – the Indigenous tutor entertained with traditional dance moves and encouraged all children to participate.

 

Message Stone, Aboriginal Art – the children were taught basic Aboriginal symbols by the Indigenous tutor, which they painted on a message stone and took home as a keepsake.

Didgeridoo and Storytelling – Dreamtime stories from the past were told with gusto and expression to enthral the children.

Artefacts, Weaponry, Bush Survival and History – a variety of tools, weapons and artefacts that were used to survive back in the day (and are still being used today) were on display and gave children the opportunity to touch and feel these special historic artefacts as the educator discussed survival in the bush and the uses of each item.