You could hear and sense the excitement at Vincentia High School for the past few weeks as a group of students prepare for their upcoming Wakakirri performance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The air of excitement was so thick you could cut it.
The performers are counting down the days for showtime.
The students have been working hard to prepare for their Wakakirri Story-Dance performance on Monday, July 29 at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.
Cast member Isaac Graham is proud to take part in this year's Wakakirri performance.
The year 11 student said they had an important story to tell.
"We are telling the story of Wreck Bay and how it was handed back to the Indigenous owners," Isaac said.
"It's a nice story and important to our local area."
The students are telling the story with music, dance, song and some drama.
"It just looks really good," Isaac said.
"We have been preparing since February."
The Vincentia High based Dhawarri Dancers will also take part in the school's Wakakirri showcase.
The students, guided by teacher Miss Viv Nolan, played an active role in the composition of their performance.
"Most of it is our work and about us doing it because at the end of the day we will get more out of if we do most of the work ourselves," Isaac said.
"Our preparation is getting there and we will be ready on the day.
"There is always a few nerves but nothing a few deep breaths won't fix.
"The excitement is fever-pitched and we are all bouncing off the walls at the moment."
Isaac added everyone was working well together - like a well-organised team.
The students hope they will be performing in front of a packed house.
Year 10 student Julia Reimann is not excited about the upcoming performance.
"I am super-duper excited," Julia said.
"It's such a good experience and we will get to meet kids from other schools.
"It's just a big celebration of our work."
Julia took part in the school's successful Wakakirri performance last year.
"Last year was a bit more stressful than this year," Julia said.
She feels they are more prepared this year, compared to last year's effort.
"I feel really confident that we will do well," Julia said.
"The performance has come together really well and everyone is working together well.
"It's such an important story we are telling and everyone feels this importance."
The students have also learnt a lot of local history.
Abbey Phillips is also in countdown mode and can't wait to help tell this most special story.
Abbey is playing one of the traditional owners.
"We will be doing a dance about fighting back for your land," she said.
Abbey said the whole performance was culturally sensitive.
"It would be cool if we won but it's great we get to tell this important story," she said.
To make sure the performance was culturally sensitive locals like Uncle George Brown Junior, Aunty Gai Brown and Aunty Mac Jeffries were consulted about the performance and they approved it.
Miss Nolan said the students deserve a lot of praise.
"I have been really proud of the way the students have taken the whole concept onboard and how mature and excited they have been to learn about this culture," she said.
"They have highlighted how significant the story is and that we should be telling if to our fellow students and the rest of the community."
Miss Nolan said Wakakirri had become an important part of Vincentia High's culture.
She wanted to thank the school's parents and citizens association for their financial support.
The proud teacher added the entire school community had thrown its support behind the performers.