By JONATHON HOWARD
COORAN State School students, teachers and parents were immersed in Australian Indigenous Culture recently, as part of a full day of NAIDOC celebrations.
The school’s NAIDOC Day event was hosted by local Indigenous Artist and Educator, Peter Mulcahy and his dedicated team, who shared different elements of Indigenous culture.
Students experienced cultural stories first-hand, which were passionately delivered by Peter Mulcahy, boomerang and spear throwing activities, Indigenous art and drawing, games and stone art/clay.
The day was made even more special with the arrival of the school’s new sports uniforms.
The two new sports houses are Ki’ra and Kung, “Fire and Water”.
These two new names respectfully acknowledge the areas ancient Gubi Gubi cultural history and language. The unique and progressive house team jersey designs were created and donated to the school by professional artist, Peter Murray Djeripi Mulcahy.
The Ki’ra fire design includes imagery of the stars (great fires in the sky), lightning and the red and yellow flames (fire, light, security, warmth).
Peter’s representation of Kung (water) includes the symbol of falling rain, the circular symbols of the water holes and blue and green of the deep flowing water (the sustainer and life giver).
The Cooran State School community has undertaken a commitment to ensure that future generations of students learn about and respect the cultural heritage of Australia’s Indigenous people.
Cooran SS principal Michael Cookman said he was very proud of the way in which the students, staff and community had participated in NAIDOC Day activities.
“And the manner in which the school community has responded and celebrated our new school sport houses, Ki’ra and Kung,” he said.
Michael Cookman thanked Peter Mulcahy on behalf of the community for the significant amount of time and effort he put in designing such wonderful sports shirts for the students of Cooran State School.
