CULTURAL connection was the word at Duval High School on Friday, as the school opened the gates to local parents and elders to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
The school's learning and support staffer, Matt Carey, took the helm late in the event after Aboriginal education officer Leonie Widders was called away.
Matt said the day, which included traditional dance performances from students and a barbecue in the quad, went exceptionally well.
He took the lead from this year's NAIDOC theme, Songlines, and said hearing and learning the stories of how the region and the nation developed culturally was the best way to build connections.
"From today, what I would like to see people take away from today is to come together. Don’t feel that, just because someone has different coloured skin that you need to stay away from them.
"I want people to get together and be happy and laugh and that kind of thing."
