LOCAL school children spent the past week learning about Indonesian culture without having to leave the country.
Eight primary schools from throughout the region took part in the Indonesian cultural and language days, which culminated at Lake Charm Primary School on Tuesday.
Aaron and Nita Hall worked with students from the participating schools, teaching dances, songs and the culture of Australia’s northern neighbour.
Murrabit Group School hosted the opening day of proceedings last Wednesday, which included Koondrook Primary School pupils.
Events moved to Lake Boga Primary School last Thursday, with Kerang Primary School hosting the program last Friday.
The final two day of the program occurred at Lake Charm earlier this week, with pupils from Lake Charm uniting with Kerang Primary School, Nullawil Primary School, Quambatook Group School and Ultima Primary School.
Kerang, Lake Charm and Ultima students participated in the final day, showing their newly-learnt skills to perform the traditional story of the Ramayana.
Students played traditional Gamelan music and acted out the performance, with a group of pupils working behind the scenes to control a shadow puppet version of the tale.
“The students performed a piece similar to something people would see if they travel to Java,” Lake Charm principal, Jeff Millard said.
“The students experienced a culture that they would not normally experience.”
Students also experienced Indonesian cuisine and tried their hand at riding traditional Indonesian tricycles, known as becaks
It was the first time since 2010 that the schools have been involved in the program when Mr Millard oversaw the program when he was principal at Quambatook. A State Government grant covered the costs this year.
“Students in Melbourne get these opportunities regularly, but not children in the district,” he said.
