Nine students and three staff visited Maclean High School from Willougby Girls’ High School in early December, as part of an ongoing cultural partnership between our two schools. The girls flew from Sydney early Monday morning and were given a special welcome by Aunty Beris Duroux, Aunty Andrea Laurie, Aunty Lois Birk.
The girls then did a town tour of Maclean going to the lookout and the Pinnacle. They were then shown how to do weaving by Maclean High School and Mudyala staff and Year 10 students. On Tuesday they were taken to Lake Arragan and Brooms Head and shown some of the unique features of Yaegl Country by Aunty Glenda McPhail. The girls then retuned to school and completed cultural activities prepared by Anjanette Warburton and Sam Kapeen. On Wednesday the girls did a quick tour of Yamba, visiting Green Point, Yamba the Storyhouse Museum native garden and Pilot Hill. After a quick lunch the girls boarded their bus and travelled to Ballina to catch a flight back to Sydney. A whirlwind trip but a great experience for all those involved.
Special thanks to the Year 11 Hospitality class and Mrs Kirkland who catered for the students preparing and cooking sumptuous lunches and dinners for the group. Thank you to the Yaegl Elders and the Aboriginal Education Team who organised this amazing event that enabled students to experience authentic cultural knowledge and learn from the Elders on Country.
