Mandurah Catholic College students participated in a colourful, culturally enriching and diverse range of activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
The primary school's Bush Tucker Garden was officially opened by Year 11 student Faith Broughton.
Year 5 students performed Wandjoo, My Friend, a song written in the Noongar language by local identity George Walley, before speaking about the relevance of NAIDOC.
The 2018 theme for NAIDOC is Because of Her, We Can, paying tribute to the active and significant roles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at all levels.
It was decided that a Bush Tucker Garden would be created, to respect women's traditional role as collectors of fruit and vegetables.
Year 5 teacher Amanda Melkert said the garden had a yarning circle which students were encouraged to visit to "reflect on the significance of culture and the land upon which we stand”.
Professional jockey Rozy Bynder inspired students with her story of determination.
In her early teenage years, getting up at 3.30am to help her father train his horses before heading off to school set her on a path of hard work, commitment and a strong will to succeed.
Ms Bynder became the first fully qualified Aboriginal female jockey.
Ms Bynder urged students to work hard to achieve their dreams, and reminded them to accept that success does not always come easily.
Her father Rod Bynder was the first Aboriginal man to train a Group 1 winner which is the highest level of thoroughbred racehorses.
