Celebrate Naidoc Week With A Viewing Of We Learn On Country

IMAGE: Local Elder and artist, Aunty Enid Clarke said the process of creating the films has helped her realise the value of the information she holds.

What better way to learn about our community’s history than by hearing it from the lips of our Indigenous elders.

Enjoy your lunch break on Tuesday, July 9 at the Southern Cross Cinema during NAIDOC Week and watch We Learn on Country 1 and 2, with local Elder Aunty Enid and filmmaker Dean Kinlyside, as they take you on a journey across the Hilltops visiting landmarks and Aboriginal sites.

In the film, Aunty Enid takes people deep into country to Monteagle’s Tout Park lookout, Koorawatha Falls and Murringo Gap.

Hear the stories from the elders and see the sites from the eye of a drone.

The film came courtesy of Young Public School teacher, Amanda Butt, who secured a National Indigenous Agency Australia grant in late 2020 on behalf of the Hilltops Organisation of Public Schools (HOOPS (AECG)).

This project involved the Local Aboriginal Lands Council, local elder Aunty Enid Clarke and her family, teacher Kerrie Coulter, and Young videographer Dean Kinlyside.

The aim of the project was to support teachers to embed Indigenous perspectives into their daily programming.

It was a collaboration between the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), local NSW Lands Councils and Aunty Enid and her family.

Aunty Enid said the process had helped her realise the value of the knowledge she holds.

Local resident, Heather Ruhl said she saw the film on the big screen in February along with educators.

“I was absolutely blown away by how well this film was produced and what an amazing learning tool it is, not just for school students but for whole communities,” Ms Ruhl said.

“It is a very rare opportunity for our community to see the wonderful locally produced film.”

Hilltops Arts, Hilltops Council and Young Local Aboriginal Council urge everyone to set aside their lunch break on Tuesday, July 9 to view the films.

For a gold coin donation you get to view the films and enjoy a delicious bowl of soup with damper and tea or coffee.