Reconciliation Week

As we gather this week to reflect on Reconciliation, I invite you to pause and consider what it means to truly walk together, to listen, to learn and to honour the truth of our shared history. 

Reconciliation is not just a word or a week in the calendar – it’s a journey we take together, one step at a time.  It’s about healing relationships, acknowledging past injustices, and building a future where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. 

This year’s theme, 'Bridging Now to Next', asks us all to reflect on the connection between where we have been, where we are now, and where we are going. For our Aboriginal community, the past carries deep pain, strength and resilience. The present offers us the chance to walk side by side – to listen deeply, to speak truth and to create spaces of respect and belonging. And the future? That’s something we can all shape together. 

As a Catholic school, our faith calls us to act with compassion and justice. Reconciliation is a living expression of the Gospel Values – of loving and standing with those who have been wronged. 

Together, let’s build a bridge, from now to next, grounded in truth, guided by love and open to you all. 

Aunty Vicki Walker

St Joseph's College has a long and proud history of educating and supporting Koorie students in our community.

In the 1970's Sister Miriam, a Brigidine nun and Principal would contact Aunty Melva Johnson, a Yorta-Yorta and Wemba-Wemba Elder asking her to encourage any Koorie students to enrol at St Joseph's College.

We had the Atkinson family attend in the 1960's at which point they were the only Koorie family to enrol at the College. Echuca families during this period would only know this as the convent and not as St Joseph's College.

It was not until the 1990's that a trickle of students were enrolled at the College, Sister Catherine was the Principal at this time and was very much loved, she was also a Brigidine nun.

In the early 90's our first Koorie Educator was employed, Aunty Nancy Bono was well loved and respected by her students and her Koorie community. Sadly we lost Aunty Nancy in 2006 and this left her students and community devastated.

Enrolments have steadily increased over many years as trust grows with families.

In 2025, we now employ Aunty Vicki Walker two days a week for guidance to the College on Cultural protocols in the classroom, for teaching staff to be aware of the history and truth telling of our peoples. 

My role at St Joseph's is to work directly with our Koorie students. I feel very proud of our students and blessed to be able to help them as they make their way in a world that has not always been kind or welcoming to their people or families.

Many of our Koorie students have achieved great success - graduating from Year 12, and securing apprenticeships, working in our Koorie community or attending University.

Aunty Donna Walsh

Community Walk

On Tuesday, St Joseph’s College staff and students gathered together with members of the community to unite and celebrate our cultural differences and diversity with respect and acceptance as part of the Reconciliation Week Community Walk.

Coordinated by Campaspe Shire in partnership with Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, the journey began with a Smoking Ceremony at Alton Reserve, followed by a walk through the main street, then into Aquatic Reserve for a Welcome to Country and to hear from guest speakers.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Cody Walker - Dreamtime at the 'G Performance

Congratulations to Cody Walker who performed in the Dreamtime at the 'G prelude to the Richmond and Essendon AFL game last Friday night. What a proud moment for Cody to represent his family and his culture on such a large stage.