ATSI News
Warraymalaya Stand Together Stand Strong 2019
The 2019 Warraymalaya Retreat was held on the last week of last term and was attended by Mrs Jolene Faint, Mr Ronnie Rindo and nine amazingly well behaved, respectful and outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students ranging from Year 8 through to Year 11. I would just like to take this opportunity to thank the students for representing McCarthy Catholic College and their culture with pride.
The vision for this year's retreat was “Voice, Treaty, Truth” in support of this year’s NAIDOC theme which celebrates these three key elements and reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It also represents the unified position of First Nation Australians.
One of the main highlights of this year’s Warraymalaya was a change of venue from the gorgeous beaches of Arrawarra’s coast, to inner city Sydney at Redfern. Here we combined with Indigenous students, teachers and staff from St Philomena’s Moree, St. Mary’s Gunnedah, Holy Trinity Inverell and O’Connor, Armidale. Students and staff of this year’s retreat were hosted by the National Indigenous Centre of Excellence, where we all were comfortable, happy and extremely well fed.
During the course of the week, students and staff participated in a range of experiences from storytelling around the fire, Mass and Reconciliation, tours On Country at La Perouse, a spectacular cultural experience aboard the Tribal Warrior, where we sailed around Circular Quay whilst being entertained through music, dance and historical storytelling, and finally valuable career information sessions with Taronga Zoo, iProud and others. The final night was an absolute highlight as we were entertained by Mr Kaleb Taylor and his Indigenous dancers. They completely wowed us with their very real connection to Country and culture, as well as their ability to make fire traditionally (there are no words to describe) and to share feelings within our very sacred yarning space.
Warramalya 2019 was a huge success and I would like to thank Mrs Sharon Cooke, Mr Lee Herden, Mrs Cate Taylor, Miss Jackie Cronin and all of those responsible, for the time and effort that went into organising such an incredible and valuable retreat. I would also like to encourage all McCarthy Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to attend at least once during their time with us here at McCarthy.
2020 ATSI Students - School Based Nursing Traineeship.
A wonderful opportunity exists for any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students entering Year 11 in 2020 to undertake a Nursing School Based Traineeship. For further information or to collect an application package please ask for Mrs Faint at the College Office.
Gomeroi Malinyan Go Soccer National Championships
The Gomeroi Malinyan Go are looking for male and female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soccer players aged 15 and over. Any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders who are interested in playing please see Mrs Faint for more details.
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call Mrs Jolene Faint (Aboriginal Focus Officer) at the College on 02 6761 0800.
Mrs Jolene Faint - Aboriginal Focus Officer