Moree Secondary College SistaSpeak students have recently returned from an amazing seven-day cultural excursion to Darwin.
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Eleven girls in the SistaSpeak program and three staff members caught the train to Sydney on Sunday, August 5 before flying to Darwin.
For many of them, it was their first time on a plane.
This excursion was organised by Moree Secondary College senior leader community engagement officer, Janine French, as a cultural excursion for the students to participate in a range of traditional Aboriginal activities and site visits.
To be eligible students had to demonstrate a commitment to their schooling with their attendance, behaviour and school work as well as volunteering their time to community events and fundraising activities.
During the week, the group were involved in a range of Aboriginal cultural activities at The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) including; bark painting, bead jewellery making, carving and a range of other interactive activities as well as watching different dance performances and seeing Aboriginal art from all over Australia.
They also attended the DAAF ‘From Country to Couture’ Fashion Show celebrating the marriage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary fine art and high end fashion and the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA) where they got to see Roger Knox inducted into the Hall of Fame and crowd favourite Baker Boy.
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“The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair was amazing - seeing the Fashion Show, National Indigenous Music Awards, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers, Aboriginal art from all over Australia and participating in the different workshops was an experience that will never be forgotten,” Ms French said.
“It's something we would never have had the opportunity to see or do in Moree, if we didn't go on this excursion.
“I have been to Darwin plenty of times, but have never experienced anything like this before.”
Other highlights included getting up close and personal with the crocodiles at Crocodylus Park and swimming in the waterfalls and plunge pools at Litchfield National Park.
“Swimming at the wave pool also helped the girls in keeping cool,” Ms French said.
To make the trip possible, the SistaSpeak girls have been busy with various fundraising activities including selling raffle tickets, State of Origin doubles, lucky numbers and home-made desserts for the past six months to make this trip possible.
“The girls have worked really extremely hard in their fundraising endeavours and I am glad they got to experience such a unique opportunity,” Ms French said.
The girls would like to thank the following local business for their donations for making this trip possible –Aboriginal Employment Strateg, Amcal Chemist, Assefs, Balo Square Newsagency, Balo Square Salon, Discount Drug Store, Mark Coulton MP, Michael Davison, Mitre 10, Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council, Moree Reconciliation Committee, Rockmans, Sisters Under the Skin, Shanny Smith and Woolworths.