The Boonar Project, produced by Clontarf Aboriginal College, is available for purchase in various formats. Photo: Clontarf Aboriginal College.
By Amanda Murthy
Clontarf Aboriginal College is proud to introduce the first of its kind “Boonar Project”.
The Boonar Project (Boonar is the Noongar word for “Seasons”) began with the purpose of connecting and celebrating the Noongar and liturgical seasons in a visual format.
The project, led by Head of Religious Education and Campus Ministry Salvatore De Luca and Noongar woman and Aboriginal Teacher Assistant Marika Councillor, emphasises the strong focus at the College on providing connections and similarities between faith and cultures for the students, staff and community.
Mr De Luca said the students will continue to participate in the making of the calendars from getting involved with the wood preparation to the painting and mounting, to the design of the artwork.
“I hope that all those who see the Noongar [or the seasons for their respective parts of country] and liturgical seasons displayed together can make links between the Catholic faith and Aboriginal spirituality and deepen their understanding and knowledge about the two,” Mrs Councillor said.
“As a Catholic College for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, it is important to connect and celebrate Aboriginal Spirituality and Catholic faith,” Mr De Luca said.
Reflecting back on the past year, Mr De Luca said “it has been a wonderful year in Campus Ministry and Religious Education”.
“From school Masses and boarding Masses with Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Advent and Lenten Liturgies, rosaries, Religious Education Week, Christian Service Learning and Retreats – all complimenting the Religious Education programming which helps our students and staff celebrate our Catholic identity together with our Aboriginal Spirituality,” Mr De Luca said.
Clontarf Principal Troy Hayter said he was immensely proud of the students and staff of the College.
“We would like to wish everyone a Holy and Happy Christmas and we pray that you may all be safe and enjoy time with your loved ones at this special time of year, when we remember the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
“We wish all, in particular the Aboriginal community, a healthy, joyous and blessed 2019,” Mr Hayter concluded.
The College is also excited to offer the Boonar Project to those located outside of Whadjuk Noongar country and therefore the seasons of that particular country will be linked to the Liturgical seasons of the Church.
All information regarding the Boonar Project, including order forms are available at www.clontarf.wa.edu.au/boonar-project or boonarproject@clontarf.wa.edu.au.