09 Sep 2014
Taree High School has officially opened its new Aboriginal Resource Room, Ngarralbaa, where students, families and the community can meet, learn about local Aboriginal culture and language and receive educational support.
The name was chosen by Elders and members of the local Gathang language group and means "Listening, Learning, Knowing Place" in Gathang, the traditional language of the Biripi people.
The room was purpose-built in collaboration with the community and the Aboriginal education team and has already been used for classes in culture, land/sustainability and art.
It is furnished with Aboriginal meeting mats and a collection of artefacts, which are used to teach students about their history. The space includes a staffroom for the Aboriginal education team and bi-fold doors that bring the outside inside.
The school's Elder in residence, Uncle Russell Saunders OAM, was commissioned to paint the entrance door of the resource room and his artwork (pictured) tells the story of the Biripi people and their connection with the sea, land and animals. Uncle Russell, a pastor, teacher and artist, is currently carving a sculpture for the new space.
Ngarralbaa was opened by Uncle Dave Russell and his wife, Aunty Melva, during the school's NAIDOC week celebrations.
