Koorie Education 

& Engagement

Over the past week, Elisabeth Murdoch College proudly celebrated National Reconciliation Week — a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to reflect on how we can contribute to building a more just, equitable, and respectful society.

Held every year from 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week marks two important moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the day of the 1967 referendum when more than 90% of Australians voted to change the Constitution, allowing the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and include them in the census; and the day of the High Court’s Mabo decision in 1992, which recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples ongoing connection to the land and overturned the idea of terra nullius (that the land belonged to no one).

The Department of Education Victoria supports schools to create culturally safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments, with a vision that the rich and thriving culture, knowledge and experience of First Nations peoples are celebrated by all Victorians. This aligns with Victorian Child Safe Standard 1, which requires all schools to actively uphold the cultural safety and inclusion of all children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It’s a shared responsibility to ensure every young person feels respected, valued, and safe in their identity.  EMC features on the Department of Education’s website as an example of actions a school can take to support culturally safety. 

Elisabeth Murdoch College has a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)—a framework that guides our ongoing journey toward reconciliation. It outlines practical steps we take as a school to promote respect, build relationships, and support equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  To view EMC’s RAP, please visit the Narragunnawali website.

We are proud to celebrate National Reconciliation Week and the histories, cultures, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This isn’t just about a week of reflection — we are deeply committed to this work every day, collaborating closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. 

We are dedicated to ensuring that as a College, our actions are meaningful and aligned with our ongoing efforts toward reconciliation.