As part of an innovative Indigenous culture studies program at Mt Larcom State School, located 730 kilometres north of Brisbane, students are put into four local clans of Jacqueline's Gooreng Gooreng people.
Jacqueline, who is a teacher specialising in Indigenous studies, developed the program in collaboration with the school and acknowledges the practice may come as a surprise to many.
Traditionally, in Aboriginal society, no person is alone and apart. All people live under one sky and are part of one land.
"As part of the program students receive their own song and dances and take part in traditional hunting, gathering, fishing, art, artefact searches and sacred site identification activities," said Jacqueline.
"They also receive lessons in Aboriginal history, values and issues.
"I believe the school-based program is changing the way the Mt Larcom community sees itself.
"The children love the program because it is about their local area and it gives them a new interest in their surroundings.
"Local property owners are also working with the program.
"It's about people working together and our future as one people",
said Jacqueline.
Another amazing spin-off has been the blending of ancient tradition and modern
technology in the production of PowerPoint presentations.
"The introduction of the program has widened our students' outlook on the world. It has expanded their horizons and made them more accepting of cultural differences," said Ms Jenny Grother, School Principal.
Comment: This is a terrific story about recognising diversity, sharing cultures and about
people working together to build a better community.


