North Albany Senior High School wants to make Year 7 excursions to fish traps a yearly event

North Albany Senior High School is planning to make an excursion to the Oyster Harbour fish traps a yearly event after participating in the successful Noongar Kaartdijin program.

South Coast Natural Resource Management ran the program with support from the State Government and CommBank.

The cultural awareness program, which translates to Noongar Knowledge in English, was made up of 15 successful cultural awareness events led by Noongar elders and cultural educators for Great Southern students.

Knowledge on bushfoods, Noongar language and stories from 14 cultural educators was shared with 431 students, 106 staff and 22 parents across 13 schools in the region from Bremer Bay to Frankland River, extending from Gnowangerup to Albany.

The project also linked with 20 Landcare professionals from eight organisations who demonstrated the connection between natural resource management and caring for country.

Noongar educator Larry Blight and Elder Vernice Gillies from Kurrah Mia Tours led the Year 7’s from NASHS on their excursion to Oyster Harbour, guiding the students to safely try bush foods and teaching them about the construction and cultural significance of the fish traps.

Ms Gillies said being able to talk to the students and show them bush food, medicine and soap plants was enjoyable and fun.

“Larry and I had the opportunity on two occasions, to speak to the NASHS Year 7 students about the importance of our unique fish traps as part of the Noongar Kaartdijin program,” she said.

“We like to spread the information across a wide variety of ages, and we hope that will help more people not only learn about the site but value and care for the fish traps.

“That’s a job for all of us to do.”

South Coast NRM is seeking funding to extend the reach of the Noongar Kaartdijin program to schools that are interested in connecting with local Noongar Elders, educators and cultural education resources.

For more information contact South Coast NRM’s Projects Leader on 9845 8537 or natalier@southcoastnrm.com.au or visit www.southcoastnrm.com.au