The Quad was transformed into a cinema for Dungarimba Wandarahn (Lismore place of learning) on the weekend and hundreds came to see the spectacular light and sound show.
Inspired by the stories and recollections of Bundjalung Elder, Aunty Irene Harrington, the 15 minute show saw Aunty talk about her time at school – the teachers she liked; the subjects she was good at; her enjoyment of all the sport activities and her fond memories of being part of an Indigenous performance at the Lismore Showgrounds, where they turned off the lights and her mob were the centre of attention.
Aunty also spoke of her sadness, and of her family explaining to her that the behaviour toward her from some of the other kids was called racism and what that meant to her as a child all those years ago.
Ms Harrington also spoke in language and talked about her love of country. She contrasted the learning she received in her own language at the mission with what she was taught at school, where everything had to be in English, and the history lessons were one-sided. For the children in the illuminated sandpit beneath the main projector, it was a chance to play together in the magical light as the adults took in the animated transformations on the library wall and the show’s celebration of cultural survival, language and song.
Photos Tree Faerie
