Students from Wundowie Primary School were among the first of a number of school groups to visit the new Bilya Koort Boodja Centre for Nyoongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge, last week.
Wundowie Primary School visited the BKB Centre on 29 and 30 August with 66 students attending.
The chief executive officer of the Shire of Northam, Jason Whiteaker said the school is one of t he first of many schools anticipated to view the Centre.
Wundowie Primary School Principal Georgina Wales said students enjoyed the day.
“Students found the tour of the museum very interesting and informative,” she said.
“It was good that the times were adjusted to allow students more time in the museum section.
“The students enjoyed using the audio guides and the quiz was used very effectively as it drew the attention of the students to recall the information that they have learnt.
“The staff at Bilya Koort Boodja Centre were very helpful and friendly.
“Congratulations to Michelle Winmar and her team on a job well done.”
The BKB Centre coordinator Michelle Winmar said students and staff enjoyed the cultural land environmental activities.
“We all incorporated a lot of Nyoongar language – like hearing the Mirni Maali (Black Swan) story and how the yorga Yongka (female kangaroo) got her pouch,” she said.
“It ’s also moorditj (good) for the Nyoongar staff too as we are all learning and re-learning our language and culture.”
The BKB Centre has been open for three weeks and while numbers of visitors are steady, work is about to commence on promoting what the Centre has to offer.
A video of the official opening can be viewed HERE.
In addition to providing a learning experience for students of Northam and surrounding areas there will be a strong focus on organisational cultural awareness.
Michelle Winmar is about to finalise her qualifications to deliver cultural awareness training and said it is an exciting opportunity for the Centre.
