The Albury Wodonga Community College students learnt about astronomy, storytelling and photography at the special event called Charcoal Night.

Murray Arts hosted the program through its Inspiring Australia (NSW) Science grant at the Great Aussie Holiday Park at Bowna.

University of NSW professor Duane Hamacher, a lecturer in indigenous astronomy, spoke to the students about the stars from an Aboriginal perspective.

Dr Hamacher said the study of indigenous astronomy was about more than just myths and legends.

“The stars are used for time-keeping, calendars, knowing when to move to new food sources, when seasons change and social aspects like recording laws and traditions,” Dr Hamacher said.

“There’s also similarities with Greek and Roman sky stories and what insights and perspectives we can gain from that in our lives.”

Astronomical Society of Albury-Wodonga president David Thurley and astrophotographer Gregory Gibbs also addressed the students.

The students will put their experiences of the event on paper at a charcoal drawing workshop on Monday week and their charcoal drawings and photographs will be made into a documentary to be screened throughout Albury- Wodonga during National Science Week from August 10 to 18.

Dr Hamacher and former federal science minister Barry Jones will speak at the Albury Entertainment Centre on August 13 and 15.

The lectures are open to the public and free of charge.