NAIDOC officially starts this Sunday, July 8, but in order to get in before the school holidays start, the students at Nambucca High have kicked off celebrations early.
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Yesterday, year 12 Indigenous girls compered the emotional ceremony which emphasised the theme for this year’s NAIDOC week: ‘Because of her, we can!”.
The assembly started with the national anthem in Gumbaynggirr language:
Ngurrajili Julgaagany Birrugan [Advance Australia Fair]
Julgaagany-bari giigana [Australian-s rejoice]
Nyaa giirral-gany ngiyaa [See young/free we-all]
Wajaar muni; yam barriya [Land (is) gold; here toil]
Ya bari gaagala [This (our) homeland (is) on the sea]
Wajaarr ngiyambandi ngii nyirrnaa [Land our yes beautiful]
Garruugu-bu nyanggan [Rare, perfect]
Yiddaa ngarraanga: ngurrajili [Always remember advance]
Julgaagany birrugan [Australia fair]
Jawgarr daalgala janggal: 'Ngurraili [So let us sing joyfully: 'Advance]
Julgaagany birrugan!' [Australia Fair!']
Language and culture teacher, Aunty Edrica Jarrett, was honoured in a special presentation, and Aboriginal Education Officer, Aunty Felicia Jarrett, gave a stirring speech which recognised the strong women in her life who had helped to direct her path.
She also honoured her current female students, who she said give her immense pride.
After some traditional dancing, students were presented with academic awards.
See the flyer below for a list of NAIDOC activities around the Shire:
Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
