Today, Aunty Steff visited us and shared various tools and artifacts. We started by looking at different types of boomerangs, some used for playing and others for hunting. Steff explained that, before there were any shops, Aboriginal people had to hunt for their food. We discussed the types of animals they might have hunted. Steff also taught us that boomerangs are made from the roots and trunks of trees.

Next, we learned about the nulla nulla and saw some coolamons. Louis even placed his little monkey in the coolamon, just like a baby! We then explored spears and got to touch a real spearhead made from a special volcanic stone. Afterward, we admired some beautiful jewelry made from seedpods and seeds. Aunty Steff told us it’s emu season and explained how Jewells is where the emu’s breed.

This experience provided a hands-on opportunity to learn about traditional tools and artifacts still in use on Country. The children also learned about animal conservation and how only a few

animals were taken for food. To extend the learning, we set up our own little Aboriginal camp area for play and even made our own emu’s nest.

Story Submitted by Lyn Best and Aunty Steff from Girranbai Community Preschool, Published in October, 2024.