expansive trunks the scars from lifetimes ago when the old people who lived lightly and sustainably on the land, built canoes and shields from the River Red bark. These scarred trees, serving as ancient cultural artefacts that are often hiding in plain sight, highlight how the old people interacted with the land, culturally significant sites and surrounding waterways including the Plenty River, and Edgars, Merri and Darebin creeks that run through our region. Morang is a woi wurrung word for sky. The valleys and gorge located within South Morang provide some of the most incredible vantage points for birdwatching, where we can see flying overhead Bunjil the Wedge Tailed Eagle, creator of all, or Waa the Raven, the trickster who bought fire to those of the Kulin nation. Our College is located on land that always was and always will be aboriginal land, so incorporating aboriginal perspectives into our curriculum and daily operations is a responsibility that enriches and elevates learning, knowing and being for all. Our College would like to pay respect to the old people, the elders within and across mob who for over 65,000 years have passed down songs and stories to keep culture alive. Without their commitment to this, assimilation policies and practices of the past, impacting hundreds of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait families, would have wiped the richness and beauty of culture and connection from all generations that have followed.
This year's theme for Reconciliation Week is 'Now
More Than Ever'. This theme is a reminder that no
matter what, the pursuit for justice and the rights of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will,
and must, continue. To celebrate Reconciliation
Week, students completed an activity designed to
Our College acknowledges the deadly leaders of today. Aunties and Uncles who lead and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with power, strength, tenacity and dignity across Victoria and Australia.
explore and celebrate their own cultures. As
Reconciliation Week is a chance to learn about
shared history and respect differences in culture,
this activity allowed students to share about their
Lastly, our College would like to acknowledge the young ones - those within our school community, who are emerging to lead future generations of mob into an Australia whereby generational trauma, poverty, deaths in custody, infant mortality, life expectancy, educational and employment opportunities are not things that adversely define First Nations people. Instead, the hope is that these young ones can lead a fairer and more equitable future for all.
family's background and gain insight into other
student's lineage. The activity allowed for students
to share about their family's history and celebrate
the similarities and differences between each of
us. The leaves designed by each student will be
included in a wreath that will be displayed as a
celebration of the continued pursuit of
reconciliation between all Australians. The
students involved in The Koori Program at The
Bonnie Lee Gunditjmara woman
Lakes will be in charge of creating this wreath and
will decide where it's final hanging place will be.
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