NAIDOC celebration at Wauchope High School

Amos Donovan and his son, Jamie performed the official opening, accompanied by cousin Steven Donovan, playing traditional music on the didgeridoo, and Uncle Bill O’Brien gave a welcome to country.

“The yarning circle is an outdoor learning area for kids to use,” said Jamie Donovan.

School principal Glen Sawle said: “It’s about creating a space where we can come together.”

He paid his respects to the traditional owners of the land, the Birpai people.  “They educated their children here, just as we do now.

“While we have a history that we cannot change, and we sometimes regret things that have happened in the past, we can change the future by working together, respecting everyone’s rights and beliefs,” he said.

Aboriginal educational awards were presented to students, along with certificates for participation in the iBelieve program.

Special guest was Sean Choolburra, a comedian and dancer. Born in Townsville, one of 12 children, Sean told the students that he’d gone to a Christian Brothers’ school, where a teacher once asked: “How do you make holy water?”

His answer: you put water in the kettle and boil the hell out of it.

Needless to say, he got detention, but now he’s a comedian who’s played the Edinburgh festival, so who’s laughing now?

He delighted the students and teachers his stories, and dance moves, and then he joined in the yarning circle ceremony.