NAIDOC Week sweeps Singleton schools

Pictured: Singleton High School students Jordan Duxbury (left) and Ashley Deweerd (right) discuss this year's NAIDOC Week theme with Elder, Rene Molineaux.

While ipods, Twitter and Facebook are a hallmark of generation Y, Indigenous students say it's still important to listen to your Elders, and have been reflecting on this year's NAIDOC Week theme 'Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth'.

The Singleton local management group schools working party has a host of activities planned for NAIDOC Week, which runs from 5 to 12 July, which are being assisted with $60,000 in funding from the Coal & Allied Aboriginal Development Consultative Committee.

Seventeen year old Jordan Duxbury from Singleton High School will be involved in NAIDOC art and dance activities and said the theme was a good reminder to be true to your values.

"To me, the theme is about respect. It's important we respect our Elders and learn from them," Jordan said.

"Our Elders tell us about our past and our culture, and give us an understanding of our history from their point of view, not just from a textbook.

"I'm looking forward to getting involved in the activities and sharing our stories with the community."

Jordan said he had already started preparing his entry into the Indigenous art competition, which would be displayed along with other entries at Singleton Town Library.

"My entry is an abstract eagle, the symbol for the local Woonarua People," Jordan said.

"I'll also be performing at various schools as part of the 10-person Singleton High School Indigenous dance troupe.

"I look forward to NAIDOC Week each year. It's a great chance to celebrate our culture and have a lot of fun at the same time."

ADCC Executive Officer Cate Sims said the committee was proud to again support NAIDOC Week at Singleton schools, following the success of last year's celebrations.

"NAIDOC Week is not only great fun for all involved, but it's an important opportunity for the committee to support an initiative that helps to build a better understanding of Aboriginal culture across all schools in the Singleton area," Ms Sims said.

Through the ADCC, Coal & Allied has provided more than $830,000 towards education and training, culture and heritage, community and business development projects for Aboriginal people in the Upper Hunter Valley since November 2006.

The projects funded are those most likely to deliver long term, sustainable outcomes for the Upper Hunter Valley Aboriginal community to help build capacity and a prosperous future.

Rene Molineaux, founder of the Ka-Wul Education and Cultural Resource Centre based at Singleton High School, has also been busy helping to plan NAIDOC activities.

"There's a lot happening this year, at primary and secondary schools in the area, as well as in the broader community," Mrs Molineaux said.

"There will be art, sculpture, story telling and music workshops; an Indigenous feast; a fun day organised by Rhoda Perry at Rose Point Park on Sunday 5 July; home economics and textiles workshops as well as a health and wellness programme with the Newcastle Knights, and many more activities.

"I'll be supporting the celebrations in any way I can, along with three other Elders. It's a wonderful chance for us to work with young people in our community."

Mrs Molineaux echoed Jordan's thoughts, saying that mutual respect was vital for a bright future.

"Young people in our community have come a long way. One of the guiding principles of the Ka-Wul centre is that we must respect all people, our Elders and others, in everything we do," Mrs Molineaux said.

"This year's theme is a reminder of the need for respect and communication between the different generations, which is the only way to build a promising future."

Media Enquiries:
Alison Smith
07 3361 4223 / 0438 787 038

Media release - NAIDOC Week sweeps Singleton schools [PDF: 21 KB]