Tewantin State School held its NAIDOC celebrations on Tuesday, with Gubbi Gubbi Elder Lyndon Davis and Torres Strait Island performers, Zom Zolbe Kolbe performing for the students.
Lyndon was also the special guest at the opening of the school’s new garden, Djabindja, which means ’Place of Food’ in Kabi Kabi language.
The garden was the culmination of weeks of work for the Year 6 student leaders as part of the annual Kids in Action Program. Kids In Action mentors Mandy Botterell and Sally Johnston were on hand at the opening ceremony, which featured a cameo of Dhakkan the Rainbow serpent.
Also present were members of Noosa Community Garden, Tewantin SS P and C and Principal, Rob Jennings, who assisted Deputy Principal, Mr Cass, in erecting the DJABINJA sign on their garden centrepiece, which was sponsored by Noosa Pots and Plants.“NAIDOC is a highlight of our calendar and it was serendipitous that we were able to have Lyndon with us today to open our garden. Each class has their own ’plot’ within the space, growing veges chosen by the kids. Before this term, the garden didn’t exist. Now it’s an oasis,“ Mr Cass said.
The garden area also features a traditional ’island hut’ (berig mud in the Meriam Mir language of the Torres Strait), as well as garden plots for the staff, which have been planted with taro, kumara, bananas, papaya, cassava and bush yams. A bush tucker section is awaiting planting.
Principal, Mr Jennings, acknowledged the efforts of staff and students in bringing the garden together.
“Tewantin SS is an inclusive community school, and today – the amazing dancing, this garden opening – are yet again examples of the community spirit which pervades our school,“ he said.
