Last Thursday, Orbost Community College hosted the inaugural Nalloo Games, a vibrant celebration of culture, history and community spirit.
This unique event brought together students and staff from Orbost Community College and Swifts Creek P-12 School to participate in a series of traditional First Nations games, fostering connection, learning and leadership through play.
The games, introduced earlier this year to year 11 Physical Education students, were then passed on to grade five/six students from both schools.
On the day, older students took on leadership roles, guiding mixed-school teams in the activities.
Following the games, everyone gathered for a community barbecue, underscoring the spirit of togetherness that defines the Nalloo Games.
Swifts Creek teacher, Mr Boucher reflected on the significance of the event.
“At the start of the year, we were as a nation talking about the vote, and we thought: do we want to have a political discussion, or do we want to give kids an opportunity to learn through play? This was a great way to do it,” he said.
“We’ve achieved all of the educational outcomes required from Lynette as the KESO plus we’ve given our kids the capacity to connect with a really significant conversation that our nation is having but doing it in a way that allows them to have an insight that many other kids never get.
“Grade five/six kids are the most resilient and capable in our cohort because they can embrace the complexity of what we’re trying to achieve here. Through these games, they gain insights about our First Nations people and their strategies for survival, all while having fun.
“It’s a brilliant way to learn.”
The name “Nalloo” means “us” – a collective unity beyond individuals. This was embodied in every aspect of the event, from mixed
teams to student-designed T-shirts incorporating artwork and symbols of cultural significance.
Designs from each school were blended into one shirt, with the team colours reflecting the theme of inclusivity.
One of the key leads on this project was Koorie Education Support Officers (KESOs) Lynnette Solomon-Dent and Rex Solomon, who worked tirelessly along with several others throughout the year to develop the games and integrate cultural learning into the experience.
“The history of why these games were used in traditional times and they were learnt for particular purpose,” Lynette said.
“We haven’t actually played these here on our lands for a couple of hundred years and now they are being played today with our kids and the kids do learn in the process, then they will become parents and leaders, and you’ve educated them, and they will take that over into the future.”
The Nalloo Games mark the beginning of what many hopes will become a broader initiative.
Mr Boucher shared a vision to expand the games next year to include other schools in the P-12 network, such as Cann River and Mallacoota.
“Educating through play is such a powerful concept. We could grow this initiative across Gippsland, the state, and even nationally,” he said.
The Nalloo Games have planted a seed of cultural respect, community leadership and shared learning.
The event was a triumph of collaboration, cultural education and community pride, leaving a lasting impact on all involved.
