The Department of Education’s, Aboriginal Education and Communities Directorate has funded the New South Wales Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc. (NSW AECG Inc.) to conduct On Country Language and Culture Experiences camps for Aboriginal students from Years 5 to 11 from four of the five Aboriginal Language and Culture Nests. The camps aim to empower students to be active learners in their education by providing opportunities to develop skills in leadership roles within their schools and communities.

One camp was held at Lake Burrendon on the 27 and 28 August 2018 which brought together local Aboriginal Knowledge holders and students from the Wiradjuri Nest. The scope of the camp involved the Aboriginal Mentors giving the students opportunities to learn local Language through key cultural streams of song, dance, storytelling and performing arts in the cultural context of ‘On Country’.

Damien Johnson from Cowra High School, had this to say about his experience:

‘On behalf of the 3 staff and 8 students who attended the Culture and Language camp, I just wanted express our sincere thanks for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Wiradjuri tradition.

All sessions were highly valued by all and we intend continuing the conversations to ingrain many of the lessons learned across an incredible range of topics.

Your selected mentors were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and engaging and we left knowing that if the opportunity ever arose again to expose our students to such an enriching few days, we would certainly jump at the chance.’

For more information on the NSW AECG Inc visit their website