Year 9 I&S

Birrarung Falls walk @ Federation Square

by Sophie Maxwell & Katherine Girbau, teachers of Year 9 Individuals & Societies

In Individuals and Societies, students have been investigating indigenous Australia and the white invasion.

On Friday 16 March we spent an interesting morning at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square. Our Koorie guide – Jordan – who, according to the kids, was a “very cool guy" told us his personal and moving story about his mother and grandmother who were members of the Stolen Generations. He also gave us interesting insights into Melbourne’s Aboriginal history along Birrarung Marr (beside the River of Mists, or the Yarra River).

We were impressed with the students' curiosity, insightful questions and respectfulness throughout the excursion. They are now incorporating these Kulin perspectives and oral histories into their essays about indigenous culture.