Immersed in First Nations culture

GRADE 6 students from Torquay College have recently embarked on an Indigenous immersion experience.

During the six-day immersion, 22 students travelled to the Murray River and the Lake Mungo National Park, learning all about how First Nations people live.

The group visited a number of countries along the Murray River, where they took part in activities including conservation fishing, charcoal art, dances, storytelling and more. Torquay College teacher Tracey Vaught accompanied the children on the experience and said there were several benefits for those who took part.

“From a child’s point of view, they’re gaining knowledge directly from the elders. They’re now ambassadors for the future generations coming through, making those connections with our beautiful First Nations people.”

Alongside Red Earth, the group spent time on Barkandji Country on the banks of the Murray River before heading to the Lake Mungo National Park and Balranald.

The process of choosing which students would go on the immersion started in October last year.

Those interested were interviewed and completed a questionnaire, ensuring those who took part were respectful, hands on and wanted to be on country.

Ms Vaught said the students they took on the trip blew her mind.

“I just watched them, they just hung on every word the First Nations people were talking to them and it was amazing.

“It was just the most beautiful experience for them all to be a part of something so special.

“The role of an immersion is to learn new knowledge and that knowledge is then to be passed on.”

The idea to take the students on the immersion came from the school’s dedication in supporting First Nations people.

Ms Vaught, who has a strong passion for learning about First Nations people, led the students through the experience.

“I’ve always had an interest in First Nations people, the way they live and the respect they deserve for being in this space way before us,” she said.

Ms Vaught teaches STEM through the eyes of first scientists, learning and celebrating how technology has progressed.

This was the first year Torquay College has run the immersion, with plans to continue the experience into the future.