Bonnells Bay aged care residents at Bolton Clarke Bayside kicked off their NAIDOC Week celebrations early with a heartwarming performance by Morisset High School’s Didge Group. The students visited the aged care facility to share their knowledge and traditions of Indigenous culture with the residents. Bonnells Bay Aged Care Residents Celebrate Early NAIDOC Week with Morisset High School Didge Group
A Nostalgic Experience
The event was especially poignant for Bayside resident Roma Casey, who reminisced about her childhood in rural New South Wales. “The students played us a few songs and there was some dancing as well that we got to watch, and it was lovely,” she said.
Roma, who grew up in a small village called Somerton, 23 miles from Tamworth, felt a deep connection to the performance. “I was a little bush girl and knew a lot about the local culture at the time because my grandfather was Aboriginal. When all the kids walked in here for the performance, I nearly cried because it took me back to when I was a young girl,” she shared. Roma was delighted to engage with the students, asking about the materials used to make the didgeridoos and learning that they were crafted from Mulga wood.
Honoring Indigenous Traditions
NAIDOC Week, celebrated from July 7-14, honours the traditions, resilience, knowledge, achievements, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hayley Robson, Bolton Clarke’s Lifestyle Services Coordinator, emphasized the importance of the event for the residents. “The performance was all about the group’s land and culture, and it allowed our residents to learn about local Indigenous culture,” she said. “It was a lovely performance to watch, and the residents and students had a great time.”
Fostering Cultural Understanding
Bolton Clarke, Australia’s largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider, strives to offer enriching experiences for its residents. Events like the Morisset High School Didge Group performance are part of their ongoing efforts to foster cultural understanding and inclusivity within their communities.
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
As the residents of Bolton Clarke Bayside continue to celebrate NAIDOC Week, events like these play a crucial role in honouring and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. Through performances, storytelling, and shared experiences, both the young and the elderly come together to celebrate and learn from one another, creating a deeper appreciation for the traditions and history that shape the nation.
For more information on NAIDOC Week and its significance, visit NAIDOC.
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Source: https://nit.com.au/02-07-2024/12309/young-indigenous-students-celebrate-culture-in-bonnells-bay
