A "women's friendship circle" is calling on schools and community groups to make use of free education material around the Peel region's Aboriginal history.
The Koolbardies Talking Women's Friendship Circle, in conjunction with the City of Mandurah, created an education package based around the region's local Aboriginal heritage back in 2015, and is urging Peel schools to make use of the resource.
Found on the Our Knowledge, Our Land website, the pack centres around the story of Yaburgurt, a Bindjareb elder who survived the Pinjarra massacre at just 10 years old.
It is specifically tailored to engage school-aged children and tell the indigenous history of the region.
Koolbardies Talking co-coordinator Dr Louise Helfgott encouraged schools to make the most of the resource, saying more Aboriginal history should be built into the curriculum.
"This is our local history, our local heritage, and kids should be learning about it in schools," she said.
"The story of Yaburgurt is so fascinating and so interesting, and it offers the Peel region's school kids the chance to learn about their local area and really engage with it.
"As a community we want things to move forward, and knowing this piece of history will help young minds get a real understanding of what took place in their own area."
The education pack was one part of a three-pronged project run by Koolbardies Talking and the City of Mandurah in 2015.
Other aspects of the initiative included an art project installed in Mandurah's Mandjar Square, and a play written by Ms Helfgott depicting the story of Yaburgurt.
Koolbardies Talking was formed in Mandurah by former mayor Paddi Creevey and artist Sandra Hill almost 22 years ago, as a means to connect cultures between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women.
Ms Helfgott said the group's success had been remarkable since then.
"When the group started there was a real divide between cultures, not just in our city but everywhere," she said.
"As time has gone on we've been able to see that shift, and now we find the gap between cultures in Mandurah is so much smaller than what it once was.
"Our group has grown a lot over the years and it's great to just have that collection of women who get together and break these cultural barriers."
To access the education pack, visit ourknowledgeourland.com.au
For more information on Koolbardies Talking, call Louise Helfgott on 0411 151 761.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
