Aboriginal Student Program

National Reconciliation Week 2025

"Bridging Now to Next”

In celebration of National Reconciliation Week, there were several activities throughout the week that looked to embrace the 2025 theme of “Bridging Now to Next”.

Trinity College’s advanced didge class made a visit to St John Bosco College to showcase their didge and dance talents to the year 1 students. Jayden Cole’s (’26) impromptu rendition of ‘Let it Go’ from Frozen on the didge was a highlight for the year 1’s. 

Mr Olman Walley visited the Year 11 Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies class to showcase some traditional Aboriginal artefacts that he had created and traded for over time. His knowledge and storytelling ability was a great yarn for our first AIS class at the college. 

Trinity College’s year 8 and 9 students were able to partake in lessons provided by Mr Dustin Aylmore and Mr Callum Walley on the significance of National Reconciliation Week, looking in depth at National Sorry Day, Mabo Day and the 1967 Referendum. 

Six First Nations students and two pipers took part in the Indigenous Veterans Service. The ceremony took place at the Flame of Remembrance in Kings Park. Students listened as Aunty Di Ryder OAM, His Excellency the Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM (Governor of Western Australia), and guest speaker Uncle Graham Taylor addressed the gathering.

Our First Nations students went on an excursion to Karrta Koomba (Kings Park) to learn about the important history of the area. Students learned about the importance of the Derbal Yerrigan, the origins of names such as Walyalup and Matagarup as well as the initial interactions between Noongar people and British settlers.

Our Junior School students have had the privilege of being taught Noongar language by Mr Callum Walley throughout the course of National Reconciliation Week and have also had a sneak peak at the NAIDOC dance that will be performed in a few weeks’ time at assembly by our First Nations students.

Callum Walley

Humanities Teacher | Aboriginal Education Co-Coordinator

Indigenous Veterans Service

On Wednesday, 28 May six First Nations students and two pipers took part in the Indigenous Veterans Service. The ceremony took place at the Flame of Remembrance in Kings Park.

Students listened as Aunty Di Ryder OAM, His Excellency the Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM (Governor of Western Australia), and guest speaker Uncle Graham Taylor addressed the gathering.

Pipers George Blaikie ('27) and Ed McLean ('27) performed during the laying of the wreaths. It was a fantastic service, and the students gained valuable insight into the contributions of First Nations veterans who have served before them.

Dustin Aylmore

Humanities Teacher | Aboriginal Education Coordinator