Mary recently opened the Giralang Primary School NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition.
“I am pleased to once have the opportunity to open this exhibition,” Mary said, “Giralang Primary has a strong focus
on reconciliation and Indigenous cultural expression across all classes in the school.”
The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is “CHANGE: The next step is ours.”
“Giralang School is already taking these ‘next steps’, advancing the cause of reconciliation every day, step by step, steps that will ensure that the spirit of reconciliation is embraced by all students from preschool to year 6,” Mary remarked when opening the exhibition.
Giralang Primary School was one of the first ACT Schools to have a Reconciliation Action Plan, and the school is proud that Reconciliation Australia has used an image from the launch, held at Giralang Primary School, on their postcards which are distributed across Australia and internationally.
The art work the students produced for this exhibition features family, flags and other Australian Aboriginal cultural icons. The art work was created under the tutelage of Duncan Smith, a Wiradjuri man, who works with the students fortnightly, introducing them to Indigenous storytelling, art, music, dance and song.
One outstanding student from each class was invited to work with Duncan and paint on canvas, and their work will be on display for a whole year.
Mary also thanked the school’s P&C for their support, “It’s good to know that the School Board and P&C Association’s have endorsed the school’s commitment to Indigenous education and culture, through financial support and the organisation of the annual NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition.”
Gallery 2011 Image 18
