Cultural News
Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2024
This year’s theme is Now More Than Ever. We are encouraged to move forward, connecting with one another and looking forward towards a reconciled future.
New - Winton Wetlands as seen by our Students
Winton Wetlands
On Friday 14th of June, Mrs Dyke, Talhia and Billie took the FIRE Carriers and our Yr 5/6 indigenous students on Country to Winton Wetlands. The students were enthusiastic learners and participated in ochre face painting, learning about Yorta Yorta artist’s pieces that are part of the gardens. The students learnt about the significance of a smoking ceremony and the enjoyed time around the fire pit, singing, dancing and best of all, cooking their own marshmallow s’mores. We then explored the wetlands and viewed the sacred birthing tree, ring tree and scared trees.
I congratulate all the students who attended for their behaviour and participation.
Below are some children’s reflections about their day at Winton.
My favourite part was when Ruby taught me some Aboriginal dances. She showed me how to do the emu which was my most favourite part. I loved dancing around the fire with Ruby and Shyanne and running down to the Rainbow Serpent. I also loved eating the s’mores! They were so stretchy and delicious. I loved learning about the birth tree, ring tree and scar tree. It was all so interesting.
By Ella Commisso
Four things l liked about Winton Wetlands was the s'mores, the sacred place and walk, and the art work.
By Kruze Collins
Today was one of the best days. Not just because we got out of school but because I loved learning and looking at everything at Winton wetlands. I loved the artwork, s’mores, Ruby teaching me to dance and just learning about the history of the past indigenous peoples.
The artwork was all different and admiring. My favourite piece was the mothers holding their babies. The fact that the weaving artwork got rusted in 2 days was crazy! I loved how each artist had their own designs and how nothing was the same. I also really loved the Rainbow serpent that was carved into the tree. Also the trees in the wetlands were super cool! I loved how Hailey did face painting with the ochre from the land. It was cold, but super awesome!
I loved learning and getting taught dances. I love how Ruby taught me how to do each dance, my personal favourite was The Emu dance. I've always admired Indigenous dance and being able to be a part of it was even better. I loved seeing the scar trees that also had a connection with the dance. We learnt that around the scar trees, they held ceremonies which I know includes dance. I wish, in the future, I can be a part of more indigenous dances.
I loved learning about history. It was crazy knowing that many European families lived where Winton wetlands are now. I loved learning about the scar trees and the ways of Indigenous people. I also loved learning about the smoking ceremony and getting to have s’mores on the fire. I loved how Nikki and Hailey knew just how to explain everything and helped us to understand new words.
Today was an amazing day. I really enjoyed everything we learnt and I don't regret signing up to be a FIRE carrier. I hope we have more days like this and if we do I look forward to it, A LOT.
By Shyanne Monshing
My favourite part about Winton Wetlands was we all sat around the fire and ate s'mores and after that I taught the girls how to dance in aboriginal dancing and after the dancing Nicky cleansed us with the fire. The last thing I liked was when we looked at all the trees in the bush. There was a birthing tree, a scar tree and a ring tree.
By Ruby Atkinson
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.
