Chaplain's Spot
Community wellbeing: Human Rights Day - December 10, 2025
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights , which was adopted on 10 December 1948.
Where do human rights come from?
Human rights have a long history and have roots in many different historical, cultural and faith traditions. Modern human rights started after the horrors of World War 2 when the international community came together and drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Australia played a leading role in drafting and supporting the declaration which was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948.
Since then, Australia has promised to comply with many of the key international human rights treaties, including International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,
Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
'The inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.'
Who is responsible for protecting human rights?
We all have a shared responsibility to protect our human rights and the rights of others.
However, governments have a particularly important role as they are responsible for laws, policies and services that enable us to live good lives where our rights are protected.
The Commission’s work helps to ensure that Australian governments protect and promote people’s human rights.
Human rights are key to living well
Human rights are about being treated fairly, treating others fairly and being able to choose how we live our lives.
They reflect values like equality, freedom, respect, dignity, kindness, thinking of others and looking out for each other.
In Australia, we use their human rights without thinking much about them. When we:
- drive or take the train to see friends and family, we use our freedom of movement.
- join a union, sporting club or community group, we use our freedom of association.
- attend a protest, we use our freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
- worship in a church, temple, mosque or synagogue, we use our freedom of religion.
- take our children to the doctor, we use our right to health.
- get a job, we use our right to work.
Human rights are a basic way for us to live, recognising the uniqueness and value of each person, whatever their position or ideas in life. This challenges us all. Everyone deserves to be valued and encouraged in their life journey. Australians often cheer on for the ‘underdog’. We don’t want anyone feeling that way. Let’s support people as best we can, giving them the best of ourselves, so that they can become best of themselves.
Community wellbeing:
Toast Tuesday: Our final breakfast program for the year will be on Tuesday 2 December.
Baker Delight goods: We are very thankful to Bakers Delight Heathmont, for their generous provision of loaves and extra bakery items for our school families. If your family would appreciate regular bread or rolls, please email me below, or see me at school.
Second-hand uniforms: If you need any uniforms, we will have them available at Toast Tuesday plus at assembly next week. Gold coins are all you need.
Contact: Feel free to contact me at any time, if you would like to talk with me about anything affecting your family. I can meet with students once, and for any further contact we ask parents/guardians to sign a Consent Form for an ongoing connection.
Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Tuesday & Friday]
[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]
Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing.
Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.
