High school keeps tradition burning

By Rowan Frazer

Aug 6, 2024

Miley Lilford, Braxton Lilford-Hansen and Eden Lilford-Hansen.

With NAIDOC Week falling in the school holidays, celebrations have been extended with events held in Term 3.

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Last week it was Deniliquin High School’s turn, with a NAIDOC Week morning tea and assembly on Wednesday to celebrate the culture and traditions kept alive by its students.

The morning began with a formal morning tea at 10am in the school’s wellbeing area.

The area was filled with artworks that students had been working on since last term, with the morning tea allowing the community to discuss the themes of NAIDOC week while getting to admire the artwork.

Then the morning tea attendees proceeded to the school’s multi purpose centre at 10.30am for an assembly with the entire school.

It started with a smoking ceremony led by current and former young male students of the school, including Angus Jefferies, Jacoby Williams and Jamahl Wilson.

It was explained to the assembly that several young indigenous men have been learning the practice which is symbolic of cleansing, renewal and acceptance and is traditionally men’s business and is symbolic of this year’s NAIDOC Week them ‘Keep the fire burning: Blak, loud and proud’.

Students were then awarded with certificates, with presentations made based on their participation in additional training and educational programs.

These include the language and culture project, sustainability, fish park project, T-shirt creation program with TAFE NSW, Mighty Murray Program, PAYIKA program (including Coffee with a Cop and barista training) in connection with Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, and the Deni High School Artshed program.

Finally, students Braxton and Eden Lilford-Hansen read the book of Uncle Leo’s stories to the entire assembly.

The book project was started 18 months ago and saw a number of Deni High School students spend time with Uncle Leo Briggs, listening to his stories of growing up at Moonahcullah and creating the artwork to complement his tales.

Deniliquin High School Aboriginal education officer Keisha Egan oversaw the organisation of most of the morning and said it was important to recognise the efforts of the programs for the school’s indigenous cohort.

“We have just over 500 students at the moment, with 11 per cent indigenous.

“The school’s programs provide a connection to country and it’s nice for the students efforts to have been recognised in the week of celebration.”