Living Justice Living Peace
On February 20, the world commemorated the World Day of Social Justice, a day where we stand in solidarity with the marginalised, the oppressed, and the voiceless. This year, our own student leaders took a courageous stance on behalf of those whose voices are often drowned out by inequality and injustice.
Our student leaders bravely represented the voiceless in our society by participating in a symbolic act of silence, a gesture that mirrored the silence forced upon so many marginalised groups or people in our community. For an entire day, they felt the heavy burden of being unheard and unseen. They experienced firsthand the frustration of having so much to say, yet feeling as though their words would fall upon deaf ears.
Their experience sheds light on the reality faced by countless individuals and groups living in the margins of Australian society. From Indigenous communities to migrants, from the LGBTQI+ community to people living with disabilities, these are voices that often go unheard, stories that remain untold, and struggles that are overlooked.
Today, as we stand here, it's crucial that we acknowledge the diversity of experiences and identities within our society. It's important to remember that social justice is not a distant concept, but a lived reality for many among us. It's about ensuring equitable access to opportunities, breaking down systemic barriers, and encouraging the voices of those who have been silenced for far too long.
As members of this school community, we have a responsibility to be allies, advocates, and agents of change. We must commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment where every voice is valued, every story is respected, and every individual is treated with dignity.
Students are invited to participate in the social justice initiatives for the remainder of the term including fundraising for Project Compassion, Caritas Ks Busking and Baking, the International Women’s Day Breakfast and the Dignity Drive for Echuca Neighbourhood House. As always, we welcome everyone to participate in these events and fundraising. We also encourage those hoping for a just world to sign up to our Social Justice Group.
Let's not forget the lesson learned from our student leaders' silent protest — that the struggle for social justice is not merely about speaking out, but also about listening intently to those whose voices have been silenced. It's about recognising our individual and collective power to effect positive change.
Project Compassion:
Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship as a result.
Leaia lives with her five children, husband, brother and sister-in-law on the island of Upolu in Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water caused Leaia a lot of worry.
Their home is not connected to a piped water system, so they had to rely solely on rainwater collected in old fridges. When their water ran out, Leaia had to walk with her young children to collect water in buckets and containers from a neighbour down the street.
With the support of Caritas Australia's local partner, Caritas Samoa, a water tank was installed at Leaia's home. She and her family now have a steady supply of clean drinking water at home. Next year, they will also have a toilet built, with the support of Caritas Samoa, which will further improve their health and living conditions.
“We are very thankful and grateful for the water tank. It has helped us so much and made our daily life easier,” Leaia said.
Together, we can help vulnerable communities face their challenges today and build a better tomorrow for all future generations.
You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes.
Cora Wilson
Living Justice, Living Peace Student Leader