oshc activities
Mabo Day / Special Place Drawings

Special Place Drawings

Children draw a place that is deeply important to them and talk about connection to place, learning that the Meriam people's connection to their land on Mer is ongoing and recognised in law.

How to run it

  1. Explain that Meriam people have lived on and cared for Mer for thousands of years, with land passed down through families, and that the Mabo case recognised this connection.
  2. Ask children to think of a place that matters to them, such as a backyard, a grandparent's house or a park.
  3. Children draw or paint their place and label what makes it special.
  4. Display the drawings with a short explanation of Mabo Day and the words 'Everyone's connection to place matters'.

You will need

  • paper
  • pencils
  • watercolours or crayons
  • brushes
Make it easier or harderYounger children draw with crayons; older children write a paragraph comparing their place with what they learned about Mer.
SafetyKeep the focus on children's own places and avoid copying Torres Strait Islander artworks or designs.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 1, Outcome 2Children reflect on their own connection to place and respect First Nations peoples' connection to land.

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