Screen debut for Noongar story

The legend of the djidi djidi has been established as a local resource for years to come after Mt Lockyer students created a stop-motion film of the local Noongar story.

The story which has been shared on social media tells of the djidi djidi or willy wagtail which lures adults and children alike away from safety and into the bush.

As part of NAIDOC Week, teacher Hannah Lace said she wanted to engage the students in local Noongar knowledge.

To do this she enlisted the help of fellow teacher Cheryleen Simpson and Mrs Simpson’s family.

Mrs Simpson said the story of the djidi djidi was passed on to her by her mother.

“It’s the story that mum told me to keep me from wandering around the bush,” she said.

“It (djidi djidi) warns you of danger out in the bush and it is passed on from generation to generation.

“It really makes you proud to know this story is now passed on to 500 kids and they will probably pass it on to their kids.”

Teacher Hannah Lace said the piece which has taken about a term to complete was a collaborative effort between the students, their parents and the Simpson family.

The students also presented this story at a school assembly where they sang a song about the djidi djidi in both Noongar and English.

“Most kids hadn’t heard the story and they responded really well,” she said.

“That’s really powerful for a whole school to say these Noongar words and know what they mean.

“This is a resource people can watch and use and have the correct information.”