Students help create Indigenous connection

CRESWICK’S kinder and primary school students recently marked NAIDOC Week at the town’s neighbourhood centre as part of an initiative blending art and music in appreciating First Nations culture.

The belated celebrations saw about 250 children from Creswick, St Augustine’s, and Creswick North primary schools visiting the venue on Wednesday last week.

A new Indigenous-focused mural was unveiled which the students helped create.

“They all had input into it earlier in the year for Reconciliation Week,” said Creswick Neighbourhood Centre manager Chrissy Austin.

“The students all decorated little wooden butterflies or leaves and we’ve had local artist Dale Oliver compile it into a mural.

“We’re committed to making the centre more welcoming for Indigenous people and especially having the kids involved, we’re inviting people to be involved in the centre.”

Located near the centre’s rear garden, the mural consists of 10 rectangular panels, nine of which are adding to the original one by the town’s playgroup installed last year.

The wooden leaves and butterflies were created by the local men’s and women’s shed members, while the students decorated them.

Overall, 400 children contributed to the project, including Creswick Kindergarten and Aussie Kindies Early Learning pupils.

The day’s proceedings were split into two singing sessions between the junior and senior students, led by local performer Stella Savy, who said it was an important day of education.

“It’s about our First People so it’s really important we acknowledge that. As well as the white story, we need to tell the Blak story too,” she said.

“We’re doing Indigenous songs from Torres Strait and mainland Australia, traditional songs in language, and talking about NAIDOC Week and what it means and why we should celebrate it.”