Hobby leads to teaching kids

A hobby creating Indigenous art led Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Kelly Hammant, of 7 Combat Service Support Battalion, to teach school students about Indigenous cultures.

CAPTION: Warrant Officer Class One Kelly Hammant instructs students from Redbank Plains State High School how to paint boomerangs in traditional styles. Story by Captain Jesse Robilliard. Photo by Private Jacob Hilton.

She was invited by Redbank Plains State High School in Brisbane after showcasing her artwork on her social media profiles.

WO1 Hammant said she was blown away by how many kids participated.

“I made a whole heap of boomerangs and showed them how to create their own stories on a boomerang using different Indigenous art styles and symbols,” WO1 Hammant said.

“I wasn’t expecting so many kids. It was amazing and good to see that we have so many kids from so many different backgrounds coming to respect Indigenous cultures.”

During the class, WO1 Hammant had help from Private Emily Alec, also from 7 Combat Service Support Battalion.

“I enjoyed seeing all these kids keen to do some painting and get some photos with us,” Private Alec said.

“I didn’t just teach the students about the colours, they see the colours every day with the Aboriginal flag but also with the footprints of all the native animals and how our ancestors used to draw maps of people and landscapes.”

WO1 Hammant said she was happy to share some knowledge of Indigenous art during the same month as NAIDOC week.

“NAIDOC’s theme this year was, Heal Country! It highlights the importance of all coming together as one and non-Indigenous people learning and respecting Indigenous cultures,” she said.

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