Aloysiad 15-12 2006.indd - St Aloysius

using aboriginal picture art and the traditional dot painting.
We would present the painting to the School when we got
back to Sydney.
On the Sunday the elders had organised a special
mass for us. The mass was held on a sacred site, on a little
peninsula in the river. The mass was very social, with Father
often asked the gathering questions, especially the younger
boys and girls. There were many songs in both Goori and
English. The Father had printed pictures that we were given
and discussed, what they meant in relation to Catholicism
and aboriginality. During the mass there was a ceremony of
water and smoke, which symbolised the aboriginal link to
the land, and how they incorporate their aboriginal culture
within their Catholicism. This mass was a reflection of how
the white and aboriginal communities have joined and how
they bonded together through faith and love of God.
Fr Brian S.M. (Marist Missionary Father’s, Macksville)
These experiences were a huge chance to reflect for us.
Living in the city it is very busy, but out at Nambucca there is
a sense of relaxation and just living that is inescapable and
unforgettable. The co existence of the aboriginal and white
community is truly inspirational. The Nambucca community is
so welcoming that we were accepted immediately and I’m
sure will always be welcome as members of their community.
It is a beautiful thing, how every body knows everybody;
so that no matter where you go in the town you are always
guaranteed a friendly face and a welcoming hand.
Luke Fussell (Year 9)
The Vee – Wall
The Vee-Wall was made by the council for residents and
visitors to the town of Nambucca Heads. It is made of
rocks of varying shapes and sizes which are available
for anyone to paint.
When a rock was found that fitted our need, Miss
Moran prepared it for us while we were at school. We
now have a large flat rock, which we have to paint in such
a way that when everybody sees it, they will know that St
Aloysius’ College students had been there. We settled on
Left to right: Miss Emily Moran, Luke Fussell, Martin Ballangarry,
William Hart, Nicholas Plummer and Brendan Lim
a basic design of the school crest, the names of all five of
us and a painting by Uncle Martin who was an Aboriginal
elder of the area.
With Luke as our painting leader we started that
afternoon. Luke drew the outline of our college crest (which
we realized was very detailed) while Nick, Brendan and
Will painted a blue and gold border around the rock. After
that the drawing of the crest was outlined in black and the
larger parts were coloured in.
The next day all that was left to do was finish colouring
in the crest and for Uncle Martin to finish his bit. Uncle
Martin’s contribution was a painting of some of the local
mountains (the tribe his Dad came from) with the sea at their
base (his Mothers tribe). Over the top of these was a carpet
snake (representing the Gumbaynggnirr tribe, they were the
local tribe) with Gumbaynggirr nation written on it. Once
we had all placed our hand prints along with our names on
the rock our Vee-Wall painting was done.
The Goorie radio station was just off the main street.
It is voiced by Uncle Gary Williams, and it is run by the
local elders as a public radio station for all who want to
hear it. This was where we did a half hour interview one
afternoon.
In a funny coincidence, Tom Makinson (SAC 1940) visited the
Nambucca Heads area in October and came across the rock that the
boys had painted.
St Aloysius’ College
A Jesuit School for Boys _ Founded 1879 a l o y s i a d / p a g e 2 1