Cultural News
Newsletter Indigenous Education
Term 1 Week 8
New - Short Black Opera
Coming up in Term 2, Rumbalara Football Netball Club is proud to invite our school to participate in the upcoming Short Black Opera (SBO) for Kids program — a unique opportunity for First Nation students in Years 3–6 to explore their culture through music, language and song. Delivered in partnership with Short Black Opera, this five-day intensive program provides immersive, culturally grounded training in singing, stagecraft, and songwriting. Students will work with professional First Nation artists and educators, using traditional languages to compose new music that reflects their lived experience. SBO for Kids also serves as the entry point to the Dhungala Children’s Choir, Australia’s premier First Nations-led choral program, which continues to provide mentorship and high-level performance opportunities for Aboriginal children in our region. Notes went out last week and Tahlia and I would love to have some of our students involved.
We look forward to hearing about the weeklong program and to see them perform on the Friday.
Key details are:
- Program Date: Week commencing 4 May 2026
- Eligibility: Aboriginal students in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6
- Schedule:
- Monday 4 May - Grade 3 students
- Tuesday 5 May - Grade 4 students
- Wednesday 6 May - Grade 5 students
- Thursday 7 May - Grade 6 students
- Friday 8 May - concert for families with all students
- Transport: Provided to and from Rumbalara Football Netball Club from St Mary’s.
Parents can complete the registration process by using this link:
SBO for Kids Program Registration Form – Fill out form
An Update from our FIRE Carriers
This term, the FIRE Carriers have been learning about the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country. They have learnt that only an Elder can do a Welcome to Country and anyone can do an Acknowledgment of Country as long as they follow the correct protocols. The FIRE Carriers have reflected on the purpose of an Acknowledgement, and they have written their own, which will be used next term during Assemblies led by the FIRE Carriers.
Here are some examples of their Acknowledgement of Country:
- We gather here today on Yorta Yorta land and pay our respects to the elders, past, present and emerging. I would like to thank the elders for the wonderful game of marngrook, which means footy in Yorta Yorta. I’m really grateful that I get to play this game with my friends every day.
By Theo Natalizio (Yr 6 FIRE Carrier)
- We gather here today to pay respect to the elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge that land we stand on today. We celebrate our stories with theirs. We continue to respect the spiritual connection. May we continue to grow and learn every day.
By Ivy Valentin (Yr 6 FIRE Carrier)
New - Shepparton Library celebrates Cultural Diversity Week
Greater Shepparton City Council is inviting community members to come together in celebration of Cultural Diversity Week at a special evening event on Monday 23 March at the Shepparton Library.
This year’s event will bring the 2026 theme, Culture connects us all, to life by highlighting the many ways culture shapes who we are and how we connect with one another. The evening will feature live cultural performances, traditional foods, and a diverse line-up of guest speakers who will share their lived experiences and perspectives.
Updated - Ganbina - Education Scholarships
At Ganbina our annual scholarships are designed to support all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants from Prep to Year 6 in Greater Shepparton.
Ganbina provide a range of support to participants including financial support for educational expenses occurred, such as school fees, school uniforms, camps/excursion/swimming, books/stationary, etc. We also provide an internal accelerated learning program for our primary school participants to help get them on track or keep them on track with their schooling.
Ganbina's Scholarship registration flyer for 2026 is below for more information -
2026 Registrations opened on January 27th.
To register for this Scholarship please either click on the link below or contact -
Project Officer - Chrystal Chapman on 0438 217 399 or email chrystal@ganbina.com.au
Ganbina Jobs4U2 Registration Form 2026
2026 Opening The Doors Foundation
STUDENT GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR 2026!
The 2026 grant round will open on the 10th of November 2025 and close on the 2nd of April 2026. The Opening The Doors Foundation invites eligible families to apply for a 2026 student grant. Please read the information below carefully to ensure your application is complete and can be processed.
Due to a large increase in demand, changes have been made to this year’s grant round. The Foundation will prioritise students with the highest financial need to ensure fair access to support. Applicants with a Health Care Card or Pension Card will be processed first. Other applications are still welcome however processing may be slightly delayed.
Please attach a copy of your Health Care or Pension Card to your online application.
Missing documents will delay processing.
All applications must be submitted online via the OTDF Grant Portal below.
The Victorian government is increasing the funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) to $400 per eligible primary and secondary school student, effective from January 1, 2026. Applications for the 2026 CSEF support will open on January 27, and it is for concession card holders. This can be used for uniforms, school camps, and books. To apply for this bonus, contact your school directly. Please consider this as you apply for needed funds from OTDF and apply only for what you need from OTDF. We have limited funding available.
Items you can apply for from OTDF
You may apply for essential school items. Please list your items in order of priority.
Eligible items include:
School books & stationery
School uniforms
One pair of shoes (school or sport shoes)
IT equipment (laptops, calculators, etc.)
VCAL/VET levies
School camp costs
Funding is up to the OTDF grant limit and up to OTDF Trustee discretion. You may not receive the full amount requested.
What We Don’t Fund
Independent school fees (families are responsible for paying private school fees and levies)
Applications where OTDF funds are used for school fees may affect future eligibility.
Other Funding
If the student is already receiving support from:
Traditional Owner education grants
First Nations scholarships
Other charities
School financial assistance
The application may not be successful. Final decisions are made by OTDF Trustees.
✅ Eligibility
To apply, the student must:
✔️ Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
✔️ Provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality
✔️ Be enrolled in a Catholic or Independent school in Victoria (Prep–Year 12)
❌ OTDF does not support students attending government schools
How Grants Are Provided
Grants are mostly provided as vouchers from approved suppliers
Vouchers must be used by 31st of May 2026
For camp levies, school uniforms, or school IT items, funds are sent directly to the school if the school supplies these items
📅 Key Dates
* Applications Open - 10th November 2025
* Applications Close - 2nd of April 2026 (strict deadline)
* ALL Vouchers expire on - 31st of May 2026
PLEASE NOTE - The school can longer apply for this on your behalf.
Workshops
Girls Indigenous Program
Boys Indigenous Program
Acknowledgement of Country
At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.
