Koorie Education 

& Engagement

We acknowledge the Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our College stands, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Renaming our sub schools in Boonwurrung language

Since last year, Elisabeth Murdoch College has been working with Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation to rename our sub schools in Boonwurrung language. Bunurong peoples are the Traditional Custodians of the Country our school is on.

Allinga, Bindana, Kurunda and Myamba have been our sub school names for 40 years. When they were chosen, the aim was to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures by using words understood to be of Aboriginal origin. That was a progressive step for its time. Our understanding of cultural protocols and language use has grown since then, and we now have the chance to make sure our sub school names are local and used with permission and respect.

We’re working with the Ngawak Ngul Language Working Group of the Bunurong Land Council so the process follows cultural protocols and uses language accurately. So far we’ve held focus groups with students (including student leaders and Koorie students), staff and College Council to explore ideas. Those ideas have been grouped into a small number of themes, for current students, staff, College Council and alumni to vote on.  This survey is about a theme, not the names themselves. Boonwurrung words don’t always translate directly, so the final names will be chosen by Bunurong Elders and Traditional Owner representatives. They hold the cultural and language knowledge to choose names that are accurate and meaningful.

This is more than a name change. It’s a chance for Traditional Custodians, families, students and staff to shape the next chapter of our College story together.

More information:

• Department of Education – School and campus naming policy
• Victorian School Building Authority – First Nations engagement

Connecting with Langwarrin Park Primary School

Two EMC Koorie students recently hosted a meet and greet with Koorie students from Langwarrin Park Primary School and ran activities for them. It was a great opportunity for EMC students to show leadership and build connections with younger students in our local community, many of whom will be joining us in the years ahead. We’re looking forward to building on this next year.

Koorie Careers and Pathways Expo

On Thursday 15 October, some EMC Koorie students attended the Bayside Peninsula Area Koorie Careers and Pathways Expo. On a beautiful sunny day, students spoke with more than 20 exhibitors, including universities, TAFEs, employers, the ADF, health services and Aboriginal organisations such as Bunurong Land Council and Ngwala Willumbong.

The organisers told us EMC students were “an absolute credit” to the school. They asked thoughtful questions, took time to yarn with exhibitors and found pathways they may not have considered before. Well done to everyone who came along!

SAVE THE DATE

EMC Koorie Christmas - Thursday 10 December, 9.15am (for 9.30am start)