Kadina High School students joined in song and stories with Torres Strait Islander singer and actress Christine Anu today, Monday, October 28.

Ms Anu shared her cultural heritage with years 7 to 10 students, teaching them about the geography of the Torres Strait Islands, Indigenous musical instruments, language - and sang songs she wrote in her Indigenous language. 

Ms Anu has already performed her ‘In conversation with Christine Anu’ schools’ program to more than 40,000 school students across Australia.

Over the next few days, she will be bringing her stories to local schools in Lismore, including Lismore High and Richmond River High Schools. 

Ms Anu talked told students of her journey from being a dance student, to working as a back up singer, to getting her own record contract. 

She said her first producer suggested she record My island Home - which then formed the cornerstone of her direction as a musician.

“My direction as a musician was based on my mother’s story,” she said. “In her day, they didn’t go past grade five and they weren’t allowed to speak their own language," she said.

“My mum was in the playground and was caught speaking her language and was punished, so she ran home to my grandpa and cried.

“He picked her up took her to school, picked up a tree branch as flogged the principal. 

“It taught that man not to mess with Anu women and it gave me the idea how important it is to have our language – it’s out first form of communication. 

“Your language empowers you with your identity. So, I stared writing in my mother’s language. 

“This is my first attempt at writing in my own language - about passing down language from generation to generation."

Listen to Christine tell this story and sing the song here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreApp/videos/477684616164854/

Kadina High principal Ian Davies said Ms Anu was invited to come to the Kadina High campus to develop students’ connection to Country, inclusion and discuss the importance of First Nations culture.

“About 15% of the students here are Indigenous,” Mr Davies said.

“We want to make them feel like a respected part of the community.

“Having a sense of belonging is essential to personal confidence and motivation.

“Having a role model like Christine Anu in the school sharing her experience of culture and working for success will be an invaluable bonus.

“As well as an acclaimed singer, actor and radio presenter, Ms Anu is an exceptional speaker and her messages about personal and community endeavour resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds.”

As well as Ms Anu presenting her ‘In conversation with Christine Anu’, the years 7 to 10 students experienced a range of welfare workshops as part of a wellbeing initiative called ‘Grow’.

‘Grow’ organiser Renee Bolton, from Kadina High School, said local organisations such as Southern Cross University’s GNIBI, Up Top Project, Rekindling the Spirit, Headspace and Social Futures were involved in presenting on the day to support students in understanding their place and their families’ place in the community and its history.

“We want to give the students options of places to go when they need help with mental health or other issues,” Ms Bolton said. “And help them engage with learning and education.”

Auntie Irene Harrington gave a welcome to country on the day saying how she was from the stolen generations

“My kids went to Kadina and my grandkids. I come from a place where I had nothing,” Auntie Irene said.

“It’s important that’s kids can travel through life with these three words. Look, listen, learn.

“Carry these three words with you through your journey in this lifetime.”

Watch the video of Kadina High Children singing along with Christine Anu here: https://www.facebook.com/LismoreApp/videos/901257863579060/