Fire Carriers

NAIDOC Week

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

We thank our FIRE Carrier leader Fi Lee and the FIRE Carriers for putting together this  great display in the foyer celebrating the theme "50 Years of Deadly." Thank you FIRE Carrier Team for helping inspire our ongoing learning at OLA. The 2026 theme honours 50 years of NAIDOC celebrations and recognises the strength, resilience and leadership of First Nations peoples, while looking ahead to the next generation. Families are warmly invited to visit our foyer display and join us in celebrating this important week.

NAIDOC Week Prayer

Loving God,

Today we give thanks for the beauty and diversity of Your creation. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and honour the deep and continuing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with Country, culture and community.

We thank You for the wisdom, stories and traditions that have been passed down through generations, and we pray that we may continue to listen, learn and walk together with respect and humility.

Help us, as educators, to create a community where every child feels valued, welcomed and loved. May we recognise the unique gifts, experiences and cultures that each person brings, and may our words and actions reflect Your call to compassion, justice and reconciliation.

Guide us to be people of kindness and understanding, who celebrate diversity and work together to build a more inclusive and peaceful world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Patty Mills

Patty Mills was born in Canberra, Australia, to Indigenous parents; a Torres Strait Islander father and Aboriginal Australian mother. Patty Mills father’s name is Benny Mills. His mother’s name is Yvonne Mills. Patty Mills does not have any siblings but he does have a cousin named Nathan Jawai. His wife's name is Alyssa Levesque.

Patty Mills is an Australian professional Basketball player, five time Olympian and 2014 NBA Champion. He has been playing for about 33 years! Patty officially announced his retirement from the NBA in October 2025 after 16 seasons. Following his retirement from playing, he transitioned into the front office and currently serves as the general manager for the University of Hawaii Men's Basketball Program. 

Cleo Vranjes 5/6MG