By Luke Voogt
Australian pop icon Jessica Mauboy visited Leopold Primary School virtually on Monday in recognition of its fundraising efforts for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The school earned the online visit for raising $6525 for the foundation since 2011 through activities such as the Great Book Swap.
Grade 2 teacher and Leopold Primary’s Great Book Swap coordinator Robyn Garnham described the singer as a “brilliant role model” for the students.
“These kids have done it hard this year – as have many – but after two long stints of remote learning, a treat like this is an absolute blessing,” she said.
“Jessica is brilliant and having her here for our school was so amazing.”
Mauboy sang The Barramundi Song and read children’s book No Way Yirrikipayi! in a mixture of Tiwi, Mangarryai and English for the students.
The foundation ambassador also answered questions for the school’s 21 “Koori kids” about her own musical idols and how she had missed performing during COVID-19, Ms Garnham said.
“She answered beautifully, she was lovely.”
Indigenous student Shelby Jacupek performed a dance for Mauboy while other schoolmates thanked the musician for appearing.
Mauboy hails from Darwin and rose to fame after coming runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol in 2006.
She went on to record several top ten Australian hits and represented her country at Eurovision in 2014.
“We are absolutely thrilled to provide an opportunity for many young and inspiring students to meet their hero and an outstanding ambassador,” Indigenous Literacy Foundation executive director Karen Williams said.
