On 29 June Mary opened the Giralang Primary School Aboriginal Art Exhibition as part of the NAIDOC week celebrations which takes place annually in July. On display was Indigenous art which had been created by the students under the watchful eye of Mr. Duncan Smith, a prominent Wiradjuri artist.
Art is an important aspect of the Indigenous cultures, and it is important that young people understand the wonderful diversity and powerful stories that Indigenous people have to tell.
The ACT Government is committed to ensuring that every child who studies in an ACT school has a proper understanding and appreciation of the cultures of the Indigenous peoples in Australia, their history, and their continuing contribution to our nation. This is why the ACT’s curriculum framework provides guidance on how schools can achieve this aim. Giralang has a wonderful program in place.
Ms Porter concluded by saying that “The word ‘Giralang’ means stars in the language of the Wiradjuri tribe and given the quality of this exhibition it certainly is an accurate word to describe Duncan and the students of Giralang Primary School”.
Gallery 2009 Image 39
