CATHOLIC schools across Brisbane archdiocese celebrated a special Queensland Day this year showcasing archdiocesan 150th anniversary activities.
At St Ambrose’s School, Newmarket, students enjoyed a full day of activities that included damper making over a campfire, butter churning, whip cracking and Aboriginal dancers while St Ignatius School, Toowong, raised $470 and collected 150 pairs of new pyjamas for the Pyjama Foster Children Charity.
St Ignatius principal Roycelyn Wilden said students donated a gold coin or a pair of new pyjamas to the Pyjama Foundation, a charity for foster children, for the privilege to wear Queensland-themed clothes for the day.
Ms Wilden said Queensland’s Australian of the Year Bronwyn Sheehan joined Queensland State of Origin rugby league coach Mal Maninga and Channel 10 newsreader Bill McDonald at a special school assembly to talk about the importance of Queensland Day and answer questions from students.
“We were following our school motto ‘Lift Up Your Hearts’ by lifting the hearts of foster children throughout Queensland,” Ms Wilden said.
St Ambrose’s principal Sue Branson said this year was extra special for the school, which began celebrating Queensland Day in 1990.
Ms Branson said this year for the first time students met members from the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal tribe from Brisbane, who performed a traditional routine of song and dance that has been passed down over many generations.
“(It) included primitive fire-starting techniques and the playing of Aboriginal musical instruments including the didgeridoo,” she said.
She said students and staff also wore outback gear on the day and Hank Cosgrove, from the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, showed students damper-making over a campfire, butter churning, whip cracking and outback games, including the sack race, the egg-and-spoon race and the three-legged race.
Other activities included bush dancing, gardening, Aboriginal art and fruit tasting. Staff and students enjoyed damper and cocky’s joy (Golden Syrup) for morning tea, with a sausage sizzle and fresh Queensland fruit for lunch.
