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Always Was, Always Will Be

Aboriginal Studies Major Project

Year 12 student Zainab M hosted the event Always Was, Always Will Be, an evening created as part of her Aboriginal Studies Major Project celebrating Aboriginal culture as living, strong and ongoing.

Beginning with a smoking ceremony at the front gate, guests then moved to the IGS Bibliothèque to take part in a series of cultural activities. These included dance and didgeridoo performances by Tim Bishop and Nathan Leslie, a Tools and Weapons Yarn with Trent Kelly, and a live performance by singer Olivia Coe Fox. A collaborative painting experience was also offered, giving guests meaningful ways to connect, learn and reflect.

 

A woman in a green hijab and black outfit holds a microphone and papers, smiling as she speaks in front of bookshelves in a library decorated with fairy lights, beneath a banner reading "Always Was Always Will Be.
A man in traditional Indigenous attire holds a smoking bowl of leaves towards a young man with hands raised during an outdoor smoking ceremony, embodying the spirit of "Always Was Always Will Be." Signs and people are visible in the background.
Three people stand in a library; one person holds out their arm while another gestures towards it, smiling. A third person stands between them, also smiling. Bookshelves and "Always Was, Always Will Be" signs are visible in the background.
A person holding a small paintbrush paints a yellow detail on an abstract artwork featuring wavy lines, black dots, and the phrase "Always Was Always Will Be." The person's hand is visible, wearing a ring and a beige sleeve.
A man holding a wooden stick hands a basket to a seated woman in a classroom, as pupils watch attentively—an exchange echoing the spirit of "Always Was, Always Will Be.
A man stands in front of a group, holding up an animal pelt during a library presentation. “Always Was Always Will Be” resonates as three audience members watch, one holding a wooden instrument, with bookshelves and award plaques in the background.
A man stands behind a table covered with animal skins and objects, speaking to an audience in a library. Bookshelves and trophy displays fill the background, reflecting the heritage of this Always Was, Always Will Be land. Four people are seated, watching him.
Two men in traditional Indigenous Australian attire perform in a library; one plays a didgeridoo while kneeling, the other stands speaking. Shelves of books and fairy lights set the scene, honouring the message: Always Was, Always Will Be.
Three students carefully paint decorative patterns on a large white oval surface at a table, whilst others interact in the background of a brightly lit room with shelves and a No Entry sign—honouring the message: Always Was, Always Will Be.
A group of people gather around a table, collaboratively painting a large, wavy-patterned canvas. Art supplies and bottles are on the table as observers watch in a brightly lit indoor setting—creativity that always was, always will be.
Two men dressed in traditional Indigenous Australian attire perform a cultural dance, holding green leaves, in a library surrounded by bookshelves and colourful notes—honouring the spirit of Always Was, Always Will Be.
Two women stand in a library, one speaking while the other holds a large, round artwork with wavy patterns and dot designs. Shelves of books and HSC STUDY signs are visible, celebrating the message: Always Was, Always Will Be.
A woman with long brown hair sings passionately with her eyes closed and hands raised, standing in front of shelves filled with books and illuminated fairy lights—a scene that feels like it Always Was, Always Will Be.

 

“Always Was, Always Will Be was a really special and moving evening, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to bring it to life as part of my Major Project. At its core, the event aimed to shift away from the usual focus on deficit and struggle, and instead celebrate Aboriginal culture as something living, strong and ongoing.

The conversations were thoughtful and, at times, challenging – even pushing my own understanding further. The collaborative painting created on the night was a beautiful reflection of this shared experience.

It was amazing to see how many people left having learnt something new. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the evening as emotional, eye-opening, and deeply meaningful. The goal was to have people feel more inclined to interact and learn about Aboriginal Culture even after the event, and through conversations and discussions I have had with audience members, that goal has definitely been reached.” – Zainab 

Congratulations to SRC Portfolio Leader and Year 12 student Zainab for organising and leading this incredibly meaningful project and creating an experience that brought people together in learning and respect. 

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