Australia is world famous for its natural wonders and open spaces, its beaches, deserts, the bush, and the Outback. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by land area. With some of the world's oldest geological features, Australia is also the world's driest continent. Australian Aboriginal peoples, one of the two distinct Indigenous peoples of Australia, the other being the Torres Strait Islander peoples. Aboriginal peoples have lived in Australia for at least 50,000 years and probably longer; they currently represent around 3 per cent of the population.
Anglo Asia Education Foundation (AAEF) had the pleasure of hosting Australia Day and inviting a group of Australian Aboriginals in two top UK schools, Downe House School and Park House School in March 2018.
Over 100 girls from Downe House with 100 boys from its associate school Radley College, who came especially for the day attended the Downe House’s Australian Day. The Day was opened by Alexander Downer AC, Australian diplomat and former politician who is the current High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Mr Downer was previously Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1996 to 2007, and earlier served as leader of the Liberal Party from 1994 to 1995. Mr Downer’s well-presented speech was not only inspirational but also educational and fascinating with good facts about the country.
After that the students enjoyed learning about Australian rules football in workshops . In the afternoon, an Aboriginal group from Australia provided a variety of their phenomenal indigenous dances and performances including the didgeridoo which excited the whole audience. Didgeridoo, a wind instrument made from hollow wood, was first played by aboriginal peoples in northern Australia an estimated 40,000 years ago.
Equally, the Aboriginal Australian’s performances were also a hit at the Australia Day at the Park House School with its 250 students and teachers.
After the events, one teacher from Park House School commented that: “It was a truly special event. Some students had felt that they probably had learnt more about Australia and its indigenous culture from the day than visiting the country themselves.”
AAEF hopes to bridge gaps and bring people together by encouraging sharing and learning about different cultures.