Where's Our Water?

The children in all grades are learning about the value of our precious resource, water. We’re currently reading the book, Where’s Our Water? which has been written for primary school students in the Lower Hunter region to teach them about the value of water as a precious resource and that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for it to ensure we have enough now and into the future. Hunter Water has collaborated with both the Awabakal and Worimi communities to create this new story that draws on their traditional wisdom and practices of caring for our land and waterways.

The creators of this story are Aboriginal students from Newcastle High School: “We are the creators of this story. This story is to all. This story is like our handprint. It’s our legacy to the children of the Hunter.”

All the animals along the Hunter River have noticed that there is less water to share around. So Kookaburra calls on his friends to come up with a plan to share the value of water with children and give them ways to save it. How will the animals help Timmy and Ella understand that water is precious and teach them to love our water?

Text from Hunter Water website https://www.hunterwater.com.au/community/education-schools/awabakal-and-worimi-water-story

Awabakal words for animals and places are mentioned throughout the story and we are learning how to pronounce them. Here are some of the words.

Baiame (God, Creation Spirit)

Werekata (kookaburra)

Wonangar (goanna)

Kaloyina (eel)

Birabaan (sea eagle)

Yunung (turtle)

Yota (frog)

This story is helping children to appreciate water and reflect on our behaviour so that we can sustainably use this precious resource, while learning about Awabakal culture.

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal Education Teacher