Class 8 have commenced their final Main Lesson for the year, with a novel study of “Follow The Rabbit Proof Fence”, by Nugi Garimara (Doris Pilkington). The class have spent time looking at the rich continuing culture of the Mardu people, who are the people of Nugi Garimara and her mother, Molly. Through the novel, Class 8 have been reading and listening to the incredible journey of Molly, her sister Daisy and cousin Gracie’s, escape from the harsh conditions at the Moore River Native Settlement in the 1930s.

The students learnt how the young girls were forcibly removed from their homelands at Jigalong in Mardu county, and sent away from their mothers, family, language,  culture, traditions, and connection to country. The novel explores the journey back home, as taken on foot; a total of 1600km. As a class, we measured and compared this to scale next to our own walking feats and represented this to scale with wool. Even combined as a class, we fell very short of the incredible undertaking of Molly, Gracie and Daisy - and most of us had the privilege of a comfortable bed at the end of the day.

 

The novel of “Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence” has opened up numerous avenues of exploration, such as the history of the white invasion of Australia, with early encounters between the local people of a variety of nations and the colonialists. We have explored the injustices that followed, and the devastating impact that the early settlers had on the landscape, the environment and the people who have lived and were custodians on the land for over 40,000 years. Students have been moved learning about the Stolen Generations, not only through Molly, Daisy and Gracie’s perspective, but through sharing stories of individuals around Australia.  

 

It has been incredible to see the students so engaged with sensitive and mellowing content, whilst maintaining such a respectful manner. The class discussions and inquiry into past injustices, and the importance of upholding continuing culture and living traditions have been lovely to see. Students have researched a range of supporting literature from newspapers, speeches, songs and novels by other Aboriginal authors. Through this, they have explored the importance of accurately searching for truth in history and the important weight this has on the future of our society.  It has been wonderful to see the maturity arising from the Class 8 group in their final Main Lesson and the sensitivity they have given towards “Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence”.