Last week, our Year 5/6 class visited the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) to deepen their understanding of Australian history and First Nations perspectives. While exploring the Ningina Tunapri gallery, students engaged with cultural stories, artefacts, and language that helped bring Tasmania’s Aboriginal history to life.

The experience sparked rich discussion and reflection, inspiring an assembly presentation where students shared their personal responses and collaborative artwork. Their piece centred around the powerful phrase “Nara makara lumi… waranta makara lumi” — “we will always be here” — surrounded by emotive words such as strength, truth, sorrow, pride, and resilience.

Students drew inspiration from key gallery items including Fanny Cochrane Smith, kelp water carriers, shell necklaces, and stone tools, using art and language to express their growing empathy and understanding. It was a meaningful opportunity to engage with First Nations voices and think deeply about how the past continues to shape the present.