More than 500 children from 10 local primary and high schools as well as Yarrawong Children’s Centre took part in NAIROC yesterday.

Claudia and her classmates from Bletchington Public School took part in a dance to Michael Jackson’s Ease on Down the Road from the musical The Wiz.

Claudia is indigenous and said she was glad her classmates would learn more about her culture.

“It’s good they learn more about it,” she said.

Her co-performer Isabel Howarth, 10, said the week was important to all students.

“They own the land so I reckon by doing things it brings everyone together,” she said.

NAIROC co-ordinator Corey McLean said organisers had a huge response to this year’s NAIROC eisteddfod, which is a play on the word NAIDOC.

“It blows it out by about 200 [competitors] ... this has been the biggest one we’ve had,” he said.

Mr McLean said “word has spread” about the event with a number of local schools who have no indigenous students also involved this year.

“It gives all you the chance of actively participating in NAIDOC and it gives them a chance to learn about our culture,” he said.

“It gives them a chance to get involved and connected.”

Three judges assessed 24 acts in yesterday’s mini eisteddfod based on a number of categories, including organisation, the lack of mistakes, “deadly” factor and traditional content.

The overall winner was Bowen Public School’s stage two traditional dance group.

nadine.morton@

fairfaxmedia.com.au