12 March 2024

Gibberagong Recount

It was an exiting day, learning about Aboriginal culture. We set off, eager to learn. 

We marvelled at an Aboriginal handprint, they put handprints on their shelters to symbolise they had been there. Well, how did they put handprints on their shelter? May you ask. They used a clay called “ochre”. They mixed water with ochre to get a substance similar to water paint. They used tis to paint their body. To create handprints, they grinded dry ochre into something like powder. They put their hands on the surface they wanted to paint, then they blew the powder, leaving an outline.

Next, our class tried mixing and painting with ochre. We added water and created unique patterns with ochre. We then painted our faces with white ochre.

Then we took our shoes and socks off to go to an important place, as shoes can cause erosion. There were drawings chiselled into sandstone. The drawings symbolised that a river was dangerous, and to take a weapon and someone with you if you are crossing the river.

The Aboriginals copied someone’s shadow chiselling holes, then, they connected them, making a picture. We also found a plant with a barb on the end. Aboriginals used them to pop warts.

We learned that the Aboriginals used a tool, when beating an end, it created a sound reassembling an emu. They used this tool to attract a male emu sitting on a nest, giving time to steal an egg. One egg only, so there would be more next year.

We were discovering new weapons when this happened: “So, they attached a bone to-” The guide said. But then, Mrs Goosen came into view, A goanna in front of her. A goanna!

After the excitement, we went to the lookout and had an amazing view of the islands. We then boarded the bus and headed home after an amazing educational day.

Aaron Tang 4DG