The whole College came together for an uplifting celebration of culture and a taste of Australian native foods as part of NAIDOC Week on Wednesday July 26.

Colourful lighting set the scene in the Middle School restaurant, with music by Archie Roach and Jessica Mauboy playing in the background.

Cora Day, BCC Aboriginal Liaison Officer said almost 20 of BCCs Aboriginal students from Years 7 to 12 helped with the event and that it gave them a sense of pride in themselves and the College.

“It meant a lot to the kids,” she said. “We invited several special guests to join in the celebrations. Events like this give them so much confidence.”

Almost 50 kilos of sausages were cooked on the day, with the group coming to school early to help cook, set up and serve. Year 12 hospitality students also lent their expertise, making great coffee for the guests.

Everyone had a chance to try sausages made from crocodile, emu, kangaroo and buffalo meat, all spiced with bush herbs. There was also dukkah made with native nut and spice blends and lemon or vanilla cake with a hint of fennel or rosemary.

The event also provided a chance for BCCs Aboriginal students to speak to the guests, including Brendon Degois from UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies. UWA has many links with BCC and organises outreach programs and camps.

Past students Ben and Amy McGuire were also there to help inspire the students. Amy graduated from BCC in 2015 and is a trainee with a university based in the city. Ben won a scholarship to Trinity College while he was at BCC and is now in his final year of school.

Amy performed the Welcome to Country in Noongar and Ben played Didgeridoo for the gathering. Both Ben and Amy aim to go to University in the near future.

The NAIDOC event was a great opportunity for both Senior and Middle Schools to get together and support the College’s Aboriginal students. Despite a heavy downfall of rain just as recess started, hundreds of students came to the restaurant for a taste and a chat. Most popular were the crocodile sausages, which many said ‘tastes like chicken!’