On the 20th/10/08 two aboriginals came to the school to tell people about their culture. Their names were Robert and Will. The whole of core one was undertaking this class. We learnt where their land was, all the different types of clans and we also got to look at some pictures. Then we split up into our expo groups. One group went outside with Robert to see something that the aboriginals used to eat. While the other group stayed inside with Will and learnt about the different weapons, musical instruments and what they used to communicate.

Robert told us that they used to get the bark of the eucalypt and bind them together to make them strong enough to hold a person. Then they would use this to climb the tree and get the food. They also would smoke out the bees from the beehives and then get the honey. They would eat animals, honey, bogon moths and different plants. We also saw some Mountains Pepper, the leaves smelt like bubblegum and it tasted like pepper but hotter. We also learnt that the Cherry Blade was used to stop babies and people crying because when you walked over the smoke your tears would dry up. Also the Koala in Kurni they pronounce koala as coola (but it’s spelt the same).

Will showed us the spear they used for fishing and the different types of boomerangs. He showed us this shorter version of a didgeridoo, when you the hole at the top with the palm of your hand it sounded like an emu. They used it to call the emus closer so they could knock them out with their boomerang and also to distract them so that they could still their eggs. He showed us hitting sticks which were used to make music. Also the didgeridoo, which the girls weren’t allowed to use because, it presses on their tummy and can stop them from having a child. The guys tried it though. Then he introduced us to the bullroarer which they used to communicate. When it was signalled the women had to go back their camps and the men would go to where the call was made. It was made to take a boy into man hood. Everyone got to try it out. It is this little piece of wood (kind of surfboard shape) that was attached to a piece of string, you would spin it around over your head and eventually it would make a weird sort of noise which would cut out. The bullroarer acts as a bush telephone for the aboriginals.

We also got told a dream story and then another one from Mr Shem. Then it was question time. It was the greatest experience. It was interesting to learn about a different culture, than your own.