Children have had the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture through art and play, with a series of events at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre.
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The centre has held workshops for children under five with artists Damien Saunders and Aunty Marilyne Nicholls.
Last week, Mr Saunders taught children about the materials Aboriginal people have used to create art for thousands of years, materials that can be found in their very own backyards, which the children then used to paint their own artworks.
Mr Saunders said he wanted to impart the knowledge of his people on the children because it was part of their culture, too.
He said the more they knew about it, the better they could nurture it.
“It’s the oldest living culture in the world, and they have responsibility as Australians to protect that culture,” he said.
It was vital to teach the children about the Dja Dja Wurrung culture around them, Mr Saunders said, because it would give them a better understanding of both Aboriginal cultures across Australia, as well as the cultures of indigenous people across the world.
Discovery Centre science communicator Alissa Van Soest said the program of events was about giving kids an understanding of the connection between Aboriginal culture and science and technology.
As Mr Saunders said, Aboriginal people pioneered developments in many fields, including astronomy, land management and care, farming, and tool creation, among others.
Miss Van Soest said for children, hands-on learning using their senses was the best way to learn.
This week, children will learn about Aboriginal culture with traditional weaving, taught by Aunty Marilyne.