Indigenous students from St Peter and Paul's Goulburn, St Mary’s Crookwell and St Bede's Braidwood were invited to attend a concert at St Joseph’s Primary School Goulburn North performed by internationally acclaimed singer songwriter Christine Anu this month as part of the school’s Indigenous Education Program.

Christine performance ‘in Conversation and Song’ encouraged her captivated audience to visualise Australia, traverse to the top of Queensland and cross the water to where she grew up in the Torres Strait Islands.

Throughout the performance Christine showed staff and students maps of her homeland, explained the different dialect spoken on each island, speaking in her mother language before translating in English.

Christine shared lyrics and dance moves with the students who participated in each song before finishing with famous Wiggles song ‘Taba-naba’  and a heart-warming rendition of ‘My Island Home’.

Local Indigenous Leader and Educator Peter Swain who has been working with students at St Joseph’s Goulburn has performed with Christine in the past and was able to use her performance to enhance his teachings.

Peter supported Year 1 Indigenous student Indie Champion mark the beginning of the concert with a welcome to country. 

St Joseph’s Coordinator Jackie McNamara said that Christine’s visit was both educational and entertaining.

“She was able to interact with the students and share her culture in a way that was meaningful and authentic.”