NAIDOC Week at Calrossy

2024 NAIDOC Week

Term 3 started with a bang across the school as we celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with our NAIDOC activities. The theme “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud” was an encouragement to continue the knowledge and practices that the elders and ancestors of our land have carried across the ages.

We were privileged this year to have Odee from Maran.Giirr and his brothers Dermott and Justin share knowledge that stretches across the generations on Kamilaroi/Gomeroi/Yuwaalaraay country. At our Commencement Ceremony on Monday, Odee spoke about his passion for carrying and passing on the understanding of his own ancestors to ensure it is preserved. Odee’s family have a continuous line of language and culture sharing starting long before colonial settlement and it was a privilege to have him share at our ceremony and welcome us to country.

Our senior students were then able to work with Odee to put together a performance that was rehearsed throughout the week and performed at our whole school assembly on Friday. The performance was significant because it was taking an ancient “nursery rhyme” in traditional language and presenting it in a way so that it could be understood without being translated into English. It was the first time that this story was performed and was a stunning example of how we can keep the fire of culture burning and share knowledge amongst our modern Australian community.

Our ceremony on Monday concluded with the presentation of a collage of artworks from Year 7 students to be hung in the library. Nat Deacon, secondary teacher and proud Kamilaroi woman, worked with the students during Term 1 and 2 and then combined the artworks into the remarkable display presented. Telling our stories through symbols and art is a tradition that allows us to keep the fire of culture burning in our school.

The value of ceremony and the honouring of the past and traditions was carried throughout the week. Uncle Len Waters shared Stories under the Stars with our boarders on Monday night. It was certainly cold, but also very special, to be able to look at the same stars that the ancestors saw and hear their stories. Lenny also took a group of Aboriginal students on country to a near-by sacred site. It was a privilege to be able to stand where the old people have stood for centuries and appreciate the knowledge that they carried.

Our workshops allowed large numbers of students to have a glimpse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and many to dive deeper into an interest that they already have. Amy and Lorelle from Yinarr Maramali showed their weaving and taught Junior school students this passed-down tradition. They were also able to share with Secondary students in-depth knowledge of gathering materials on country and weaving with purpose in their work.

Along with weaving there was dance and language with Gambadul, music, story-telling, art and tastes with our Agriculture teacher, Erin Blake. Erin baked up a storm with indigenous ingredients including wattle seed, quandong peach, kangaroo and lemon myrtle which were shared with Year 4 students, secondary helpers and our special visitors from Hillview Public School.

Our connection between Calrossy boarders and students and staff from Hillvue Public School started many years ago with a breakfast club. Each week Calrossy students have travelled to Hillvue to cook breakfast and build community. During NAIDOC week, this special relationship was honoured with members of the Hillvue community coming to our Thursday Boarder Muster and our Friday workshops at the Junior school. At the conclusion of the workshops, the Hillvue students presented a remarkable dance performance for Junior and Secondary students and staff. Their pride in culture and willingness to share with us was inspiring.

It is important for us to gather as a whole school for special occasions and our celebration of First Nations culture on Friday was informative as well as being challenging and inspiring. The Junior school shared culture with Pippi leading an acknowledgement in language and then the whole school performing actions as Charlotte read our school acknowledgement of country. Our guest speaker, Susannah Hollands, shared her journey from being a Year 11 Calrossy student, with no knowledge of her Aboriginal heritage, through her discovery of her love of culture and her experiences living in remote communities in the Northern Territory, teaching with her husband and family. Susannah and her son, Mitch, sang Australian Ngiyani and many students and staff, were able to join in, singing “I am Australian” in Gamilaraay.

Along with our guest and our student performance, Ella and Liv were able to share their perspective as student leaders on the theme and how it resonates with them. They highlighted leaders from the past who have been willing to fight for justice and acknowledge wrongs. The challenge was laid down for us all to look beyond what we may see or hear superficially, and hear the call to treat each other with respect and consideration.

One of our chapel prefects, Ben, prayed at the conclusion of the ceremony and I would like to close with his words, which have been inspired by the prayers of indigenous leaders and reflect a commitment to reconciliation that we can all embrace as members of the Calrossy school community.

Creator God, Lord of all nations and peoples,

We come before You today with humble hearts, acknowledging the rich tapestry of humanity You have woven. As it is written, "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."

On this NAIDOC occasion, we particularly lift up the First Nations peoples of this land. We recognize their deep connection to country, their ancient wisdom, and their enduring spirit.

Heavenly Father, we confess that we have not always walked in Your ways of justice and love. We acknowledge the painful history that has stained this land.

Lord, You have seen and felt the disruption, the murder, theft, pain and injustice. The land is blood-stained. The cries of Your people echo in the silence. Trauma and grief overwhelm us.

We humbly ask for Your forgiveness and guidance as we seek reconciliation and healing.

We pray for truth to be brought into the light – the truth that brings freedom and healing. May Your justice roll on like a river, and Your righteousness like a never-failing stream.

Blaze us with Your love and presence, that we may walk together in harmony, celebrating the diversity of Your creation and honouring the unique gifts of all peoples.

Guide us to listen deeply, to learn humbly, and to act justly. Help us to build a future where all Your children are valued, respected, and given equal opportunity to flourish.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who reconciles all things to Himself, we pray.

Amen.

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Hannah Pollard

Indigenous CoOrdinator