PRIMARY school pupils took part in a session yesterday with an Aboriginal artist and storyteller.

The youngsters from Middlesbrough's Breckon Hill Primary School took part in a workshop with Francis Firebrace at the town's Central Library, where they learnt an aboriginal song before performing it to the crew of the Endeavour.

Mr Firebrace then accompanied the youngsters to the Endeavour berth at Middlesbrough Dock where they presented the crew with some farewell messages before singing an Aboriginal song accompanied by the storyteller on the didgeridoo.

Mr Firebrace is an internationally acclaimed storyteller and artist who entertains his audiences with stories, music and ancient Aboriginal wisdom and philosophy.

He was the illegitimate child of an Aboriginal father and a married woman. After the birth became public they were forced to flee their home, and they lived in the bush until Mr Firebrace was seven years old.

He has worked as a kangaroo trapper, cattle drover and is an award winning film-maker and approved storyteller for New South Wales schools, winning two state educational awards for promoting Aboriginal cultural heritage.