Smoke and murals at Ardmona Primary School

By Taylah Baker

Dec 8, 2022

A traditional First Nations smoking ceremony was performed at Ardmona Primary School on Friday, December 2 to unveil the school’s latest mural.

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Representatives from ASHE Daya began the ceremony with the lighting of the eucalyptus and native leaves, before blowing the smoke over the land.

Along with students, parents and teachers of Ardmona Primary School, First Nations community members and students from Mooroopna Primary School were also in attendance.

**Big smoke:** ASHE Daya’s Nathan Bourke blowing the smoke as Ardmona Primary School students watch. Photo by Taylah Baker

Ardmona Primary School principal Jean Varty said the mural was another opportunity to enhance the school and continue building on existing respectful relationships.

“We’ve got such an inclusive school environment with our families and a strong Indigenous community,” she said.

“Our school has been built on partnerships and relationships, and will continue to do so to strengthen our engagement and connectivity with the community.”

Career education support Nathan Turner said the enclosed learning space was part of the Active Sports funding, an incorporation of active and outdoor learning, and served as a meeting place for classes.

Beginning during the school holidays, Aboriginal artist Liss Cowan, a Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba woman, painted the mural in an eight-week period.

“This is Yenbena Yeyurringal Algabonya, which means ‘ancestor sunrise meeting place’,” she said.

“I’ve painted my ancestors travelling, using the turtles as their spirits, by the Dhungala, which is the Goulburn River.

“The elders are sitting around waterholes, with the yellow circles for blossoms representing happiness.

“The Bunjil, which is the eagle, he’s the protector of the land and is facing the opposite way, appearing to have flown across from over the turtles.”

The walls aren’t the only cultural storytellers in the learning centre, with the ground also displaying the rich First Nations history.

“The day that we got rights to our flag earlier this year, is the day I painted the Aboriginal Flag on the ground of the space,” Ms Cowan said.

Furthermore, the personal impact the artwork had on Ms Cowan and her children in Year 1 and Year 6 at Ardmona Primary School was significant.

“It was a big opportunity to paint the mural, and it meant a lot to bring some happiness, especially after the COVID lockdowns,” Ms Cowan said.

“Children couldn’t come to school and all children need education; doesn’t matter what culture they are.”