Gunnedah primary students took to Pensioner’s Hill yesterday afternoon to perform Indigenous dances as part of an interactive visit from Tamworth-based Gomeroi Dance Company.
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Students took part in a variety of dances, including the bumblebee dance and emu dance against the spectacular backdrop of the town of Gunnedah.
In his welcome to country, Cliff Griffen talked about the landscape of the area in the past, and the legends associated with the hills on the horizon.
Dance company members Marc Sutherland and Brad Flanders visited St Xavier’s School and Gunnedah South Public School during the day to teach the students different dances in preparation for the Pensioner’s Hill event.
They also shared Gomeroi language with the students and spoke about positive self-development.
“It’s about identifying core values and how you act on those values,” Mr Sutherland said.
He told the students that dancing was a helpful way to remember Indigenous stories.
“All of these stories are very important,” he said.
“A lot of these stories are actually very complex but they are easy to remember because they have a catchy dance; that’s why dance is important.”
Mr Sutherland also said the stories could be a source of learning.
“When you next read [Indigenous] books or narratives... try to see what the story is about but then see what it’s trying to teach you,” he said.
He said the members formed a dance group in 2001 when they were attending Peel High School in Tamworth. In 2007, the members decided to develop the concept and focus on sharing Gomeroi culture with the wider community.
Mr Sutherland said the not-for-profit company performed at 89 events in north-west NSW last year.