On Thursday, December 5, Sanctuary Point Public School celebrated the official opening of their 'dhugan-dha djama gudjaaga,' interactive cultural learning garden.
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The event was attended by parents, volunteers and community groups including; Dharawal Aboriginal Corporation Association, South Coast Aboriginal Medical Service, Culburra Public School, Vincentia Public School, Members of the Local Bay & Basin AECG, Vincentia High School, Bay and Basin Men's shed, Uncle Robert Williams, Aunty Deidre Martin, Sanctuary Point Community Garden, Booderee National Park Rangers, Sanctuary Point Connect and others.
Aboriginal Education Officer, Ashlee Williams said the event was a chance to celebrate the efforts of staff, students and the community.
"The garden is about all of us," she said.
"Valuing where we come from, our shared land and culture and preparing our children, as they are our future.
"Since 1995 there have been many changes and improvements to the garden but this new refurbishment is the one where we are most proud of."
The original name for the Aboriginal Garden was the ' Gudjahgah Undarnga Muran', which means 'childrens bushfood ground'.
Aunty Leonie Ardler was the original project coordinator from the beginning of the development of the Koori Garden, which was funded through the Aboriginal Education Strategic Initiatives Program back in 1995.
The name 'dhugan-dha djama gudjaaga' translates to 'our camp for teaching children'.
The area is an outdoor learning space, where students, teachers and community can go to be immersed in cultural history, local stories, and Aboriginal language.
A few years ago Sanctuary Point Public School named each of their classrooms after a local animal in dhurga language. Each animal is represented in the garden by an artwork, made by students and teachers (and a little outsourced help). The artworks have QR codes which link to a website, created by the students, explaining how the artwork was created and the cultural significance of each animal.
"We plan in future to link learning to the flora for their uses such as bush tucker, bush medicine along with local Aboriginal stories," Ms Williams said.
"[This] has been a collaborative project, strengthening the relationships with our community.
"We are extremely proud of this space and hope that everyone who visits can enjoy it like we do."
