Bush Kindy - Noongar Elders Visit

We were deeply honoured to have a visit to our Bush Kindy by two senior Noongar elders, Aunty Eliza Woods and her cousin Aunty Annette Eades last Thursday morning 15th August.  The Karri Kindy children came down to join Silver Birch by our campfire, and after singing some of our favourite Bush Kindy songs to the elders, we then listened to stories about their childhood experiences.  

Aunty Eliza and Aunty Annette both grew up on the Gnowangurup Reserve in the early 1950’s when the town was deeply segregated and Noongar people lived with very little material comfort. They shared stories and examples of the dolls and toys they used to make out of accessible throwaway materials, and described games they used to play on the Reserve.  They also showed the children a booka, or kangaroo skin cloak/blanket, and shared the multiple uses they would make of old flour bags. Aunty Eliza described their childhoods as ‘precious times’, and with many large families living in tents and bush shelters in close proximity to one another, they never went short of a feed despite the hardships. 

The children were captivated by their presentation, and listened with rapt attention.  They were then able to play with the toys and chat with the Aunties while they prepared damper for morning tea.  Later in the morning we took them for a short walk to visit the creek.  Both elders expressed repeatedly how much they enjoyed the peace and beauty of our Bush Kindy setting, and the respect and enthusiasm of the coolangas (children).  They are keen to make return visits, and we will hopefully get to spend more time with them when we have our Bush Kindy camp out at Nowanup in Term 4.

Many thanks yet again to Kristi for her support throughout the morning, and for the delicious camp cake she made to accompany the damper for morning tea.