Yarning is a form of storytelling in Aboriginal culture.

It is informal, culturally friendly, harmonious, creative, and collaborative and throughout is respectful, open, and honest where participants feel safe to be heard and respond.

Hanwood PS Principal Monica St Baker called the project a 'dream' that she was excited to finally see be brought into reality. .

"This Yarning Circle has the capacity to bring our students and community together and is an amazing space for our children to learn with their teachers and let their imagination run wild," Mrs St Baker said.

Local artists Allan McKenzie Snr and Carolyn Webb were commissioned to paint the risers and step ends of the Yarning Circle to depict Wiradjuri culture, bush tucker and Dreamtime stories embedded in natural environments from the sea to the dessert, the rainforests, rivers, bushland and back to the sea.

They will both also write out Dreamtime stories to ensure culture, language and Wiradjuri Dreaming is taught authentically and contextually.

"Our Dreamtime stories are of the most important aspects of Aboriginal Culture," Mr McKenzie and Mrs Webb said.

"They are preserved in Aboriginal songs and dance; these stories give us understanding of past presence for many generations which helped Aboriginal people survive through the laws and morals."

According to Mrs St Baker, when working on the Yarning Circle, the aim was to include stories that focus on teaching, learning and sharing to enhance Aboriginal Cultural Connection.

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Each story has also been created with traditional in-land flora and fauna for Griffith local Wiradjuri area which is focused on natural habitats, traditional foods, and Aboriginal tools.

"Our aim of creating each story was to encourage schools to provide an opportunity for students to share orally in a safe space without judgement, sharing of knowledge and develop order thinking skills and establishing rules of respect with each other and making connection while exploring Aboriginal Culture and Heritage," Mrs St Baker said.

The project involved the joint efforts of many people and local businesses, and was lucky enough to receive funding from the Tackling Tough Times Together program which provides drought affected communities the opportunity to access funds that benefit their immediate and long term needs.

"This project will be an asset to the whole Griffith community to use and value," Mrs St Baker said.

A big thankyou from the school community goes to P&C President Mrs Rebecca Watt for all her extra work applying for funding to ensure this project was successful.

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