Thursday 19 October 2023
Connecting to Country with music
Students at small schools on the Central Coast have produced a song and dance video to strengthen their and the community’s connection to Country.
It will be performed at the Mangrove Mountain Country Fair on Saturday [October 21] at 9.30am.
The project began in 2021, partly funded by a NAIDOC Day grant, with the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre working with local small schools to write a song about Connecting to and Acknowledging Country.
Principal Christine Freeman says the support of local people was critical.
“A local producer, Burger Legs Joe, arranged and recorded the backing track with the EEC, and Tim Selwin, an Aboriginal man, ran a workshop on what ‘Country’ means, helping the students develop ideas to go into the song,” said Christine.
“Unfortunately COVID interrupted production until this year, but it now includes an acknowledgement in English by local Aboriginal student Sierra Stanley, and welcome song in language by Elder Gavi Duncan.
“The vocals were recorded at Kariong Mountains High School with music teacher Kane Burns, six schools each recording their verse and the chorus.
“Students’ own dance moves and Aboriginal dance developed by local Aboriginal man Jonothan Wright were incorporated into the video version.
“We are very proud of the students’ and teachers’ work, and very grateful for all the local support we’ve received in creating a song that speaks directly to the meaning of Country and its importance to all of us.”
The students who recorded the song and will be taking part in Saturdays’ performance are from the Peats Ridge, Central Mangrove, Somersby, Kulnura, Wyong Creek and Jilliby Public Schools.
Contact details:
Sven Wright, NSW Department of Education Media Officer, sven.wright@det.nsw.edu.au, 02 7814 0069