IN A bold burst of black, yellow and red, Tamworth’s Westdale Gems took to the stage and sparkled in their first performance of the year.
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The young dance troupe – a spin-off from predecessors the Westdale Sapphires – meet three lunchtimes each week to choreograph new moves themselves.
Westdale Primary School Aboriginal education officer Julie Fuller said she was thrilled to see the enthusiastic group expanding, with 25 girls involved this year.
For Miss Fuller, it is a sign more local girls are becoming proud of their Indigenous culture and identity.
“There’s not a lot of opportunity to learn their culture in town,” Miss Fuller said. “In the group we talk about stories, dreamtime, about culture – we try and instill that in the girls all the time.”
“We might be sitting around in a little group and might see one little girl cry, because a story has touched her heart – it relates back to their family or someone they’ve known.”
“But you get the joys too – they’re so excited, they’re really committed and they like to be involved with the group.”
“We are unique to this country.”
