NAIDOC brings intergenerational learning at Bonnells Bay

Bonnells Bay aged care residents have started celebrating NAIDOC Week early with a performance from a local high school didgeridoo group.

Students from Morisset High School’s Didge Group visited Bolton Clarke Bayside to share information about the indigenous culture and traditions with residents.

Bayside aged care resident Roma said the experience brought back many memories from her childhood growing up 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.

“I grew up in a small village about 23 miles from Tamworth called Somerton – I was a little bush girl.

“I 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.

“I think it was really good because we got to ask the kids questions about the performance – I asked what the didgeridoos were made of and it is Mulga.”

NAIDOC Week (July 7- 14) honours the traditions, achievements and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Bolton Clarke Lifestyle Services Coordinator Hayley said she wanted to offer residents the opportunity to learn more about indigenous culture in the lead up to the week.

“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!”