On Tuesday the 22nd of July, years five and six went to the Garigal National Park to see some Aboriginal Rock Carvings.

We saw lots of animals like whales, fish, and kangaroo's. There were shields and people. There were calendars and seasons, and there where weapons.

The kangaroo's tail was pointing where the water was so the Aboriginals know where to get the water. and the whale was pointing towards the sea.

Then after that, we met a ranger called Chris Buckley, he works for the Warringah Council native reserve. He showed us all sorts of plants like a sasaphraz which is a plant you can chew on and it looks like a normal leaf but you can eat it. Then he showed us another wattle tree which the Aboriginal's used for flour.

Next we went down a track to see a meeting place where Aboriginals always have a meeting. So he talked to us about the importance of water to the Aboriginals. The reason why it's important, is because they need it for cooking food and they need it for sharpening weapons. Then we kept walking until he told to stop. He showed us where they sharpened the weapons. Then he showed us some other plants like the Garnia. The Garnia is a plant where the Aboriginals make nets, ropes and bags.

We saw lots of safety signs and Environment signs. One environment sign said to 'Stay on Track'  and another sign said 'Bird Breeding Area.' We stopped and had lunch in the picnic area.

As we walked along the track we saw lots of birds like Rosellas. At the dam we saw lots of ducks and geese. We walked across Manly Dam wall and you see right back to where we started from.

I enjoyed our excursion and learning about Aboriginal Heritage and I'm looking forward to our next excursion.


By Laulea

On Tuesday 22nd of July Years 5 and 6 went to Garigal National Park and Manly Dam to learn Aboriginal heritage.

We first went around in classes and looked at the carvings that the Aboriginal displayed on the rocks. The Aboriginal Carving are older than the Egyptian pyramids. When we went looking around Mr Taylor explained to us the story or what they were. We saw rock carvings of animals such as:
- kangaroos
- whales
- fish
- people
- weapons such as shields, spears, woomeras and boomerangs
There were also calenders for seasons.

After looking around we then had to meet back with Year 5 and have lunch before we moved out.

After recess we met a Ranger called Chris who was to tell us and show us things. He first of all talked about how long the Aboriginal people lived here and then we moved off. We went walking down a bumpy road or path and at the end there was a beautiful waterhole where Aboriginal drink. We had a quick rest while Chris talked to us.

Mr Taylor then picked a plant of the tree and rubbed it against his hands and it made soap. It was a wattle tree. We then walked to a path where there was more plants that Chris wanted us to see. There was:
- sassafras, you could eat it and it tastes like chewing gum
- geebung with fruit like grapes
- spider plants
- gahnia was used to make nets and ropes for the Aboriginal hunters
- wattles were used to make flour and soap
- grass trees were also a food type for Aboriginal and it also tasted like chewing gum, for glue and spears.
- boronia plant smelt seet and it was oil.

After a tour for the plants we walked down the path and saw a cave/ shelter for which the Aboriginals used for there homes and we saw flowers, other plants, some more water wholes and then we came to the end of the path and Chris left us. Then we walked up to Manly Dam and it was a very long walk to Manly Dam. When we got there we then went for a picnic stop and had lunch and toilet stop and then headed off back down the track. We went and saw the water tanks for where the water of Manly Dam flowed, and then we went for another break in the park and had a little play and then we left Manly Dam met the bus and went back to school.

I learnt alot about Aboriginal and had a Great day!!!

By Rodney

On Tuesday 22nd of July Years 5 and 6 went on an Aboriginal Heritage Excursion. We caught the bus to Garigal National Park. It was cold on that day.

First we were in our own classes. We were looking at different rock carvings. There were rock carvings of people, animals like whales, fishes and  kangaroos. If a kangaroo's tail points in a direction it means that water is near-by. Their rock carvings of people, a calendar and lots of weapons like shields, spears, boomerang and lot more. We all learnt that rock carvings are older than Egyptian Pyramids. Some of the carvings represent Dreamtime stories.

After recess we met this guide named Chris Buckley. Chris told us how long Aborigines lived and where. We walked on the bush track until we stopped at this place where Aborigines live and how they drank water. They drank water from the stream running down.

Mr Taylor picked up some soap which was from a Wattle, a Sasaphraz which is like a leaf and you put it in you mouth and you should be able to taste it. The flavour was sweet, we saw a Wattle which was from Flour, a garnia which you could make nets and rope with, a boronia which is a Scent Oil, a Geebung, and a grass tree which is like chewing gum as well. The Aboriginal people did sharpening grooves with rocks and other sharpening tools.

Next we walked to Manly Dam. we walked to the track and we stopped to have lunch. After lunch we walked through the track. on the way we saw Rosella flying in the sky. Aborigines lived in caves or shelters. We walked   across the bridge with water underneath it. When we walked back across the bridge we went back to school.

Chris Buckley told us how long Aborigines lived and where. We walked on the bush track until we stopped at this place where Aborigines live and how they drank water. They drank water from the stream running down.

Mr Taylor picked up some soap which was from a Wattle, a Sasaphraz which is like a leaf and you put it in you mouth and you should be able to taste it. The flavour was sweet, we saw a Wattle which was from Flour, a garnia which you could make nets and rope with, a boronia which is a Scent Oil, a Geebung, and a grass tree which is like chewing gum as well. The Aboriginal people did sharpening grooves with rocks and other sharpening tools.

Next we walked to Manly Dam. we walked to the track and we stopped to have lunch. After lunch we walked through the track. on the way we saw Rosella flying in the sky. Aborigines lived in caves or shelters. We walked   across the bridge with water underneath it. When we walked back across the bridge we went back to school.

    AC