Cultural News 

Newsletter Indigenous Education

Term 3 Week 6

Did you know? 

August is a significant month in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history. 

During August we're recognising two incredible athletes whose achievements have inspired all Australian people, but are especially looked up to by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, everywhere. 

 4 August 1997 – Cathy Freeman became the first Indigenous Australian to win an IAAF World Championship title, taking out gold in the 400m in Athens. Her success paved the way for one of Australia's most iconic sporting moments when she won Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000. Cathy continues to be a powerful symbol of excellence, pride and reconciliation. 

 11 August 1988 – Happy Birthday Patty Mills! A Kokatha, Naghiralgal and Dauareb-Meriam man, Patty has become one of Australia's greatest basketballers and leaders. From winning an NBA Championship to captaining the Boomers to their first-ever Olympic medal in men's basketball at the Tokyo Games, Patty continues to inspire through his sporting achievements, cultural pride and dedication to creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. 

These achievements remind us of the strength, resilience and excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, both on and off the sporting field. 

On 14 August 1824, Governor Thomas Brisbane declared martial law across the Bathurst region of New South Wales as colonial authorities sought to suppress Wiradjuri resistance. 

 As colonists rapidly occupied Wiradjuri Country, food sources were disrupted, sacred places were damaged, and violence was used to force Aboriginal people from their lands. 

The declaration gave soldiers and armed colonists sweeping powers. In the months that followed, many Wiradjuri people were killed as colonial forces attempted to break resistance to invasion and dispossession. 

Importantly, this history reminds us that Aboriginal people did not passively surrender their Country. Wiradjuri people actively defended their families, communities, culture and lands against violent colonial expansion. 

Why does this matter in education? 

Understanding histories such as the Bathurst War helps us move beyond narratives of Aboriginal people simply being 'settled' or 'displaced' and instead recognise the strength, resistance and ongoing connection to Country of First Nations peoples. 

It is an important part of creating culturally safe classrooms where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can see their histories and resilience accurately represented. 

Chrissie James-Atkinson (CESL – Aboriginal Education Officer) 

Small Group Work

This term, Tahlia will be taking small groups from Year 1 and 2 to decorate a leaf that will be combined together in a framed piece of artwork. We look forward to sharing this experience at Assembly in the coming weeks. 

ASHEfest

More details to come. 

Some Term 3 dates to look forward to – 

• ASHEfest - Prep to Year 3 on Wednesday 9th September 
• ASHEfest - Year 4 to Year 6 on Thursday 10th September 

Term 4 –  

• On Country excursion to Barmah with Year 5 and 6 indigenous students and our FIRE Carriers (date TBC) 

Ganbina - Education Scholarships

At Ganbina our annual scholarships are designed to support all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants from Prep to Year 6 in Greater Shepparton. 

Ganbina provide a range of support to participants including financial support for educational expenses occurred, such as school fees, school uniforms, camps/excursion/swimming, books/stationary, etc. We also provide an internal accelerated learning program for our primary school participants to help get them on track or keep them on track with their schooling.

Ganbina's Scholarship registration flyer for 2026 is below for more information -

2026 Registrations opened on January 27th.

To register for this Scholarship please either click on the link below or contact -

Project Officer - Chrystal Chapman on 0438 217 399 or email chrystal@ganbina.com.au

Ganbina Jobs4U2 Registration Form 2026

Acknowledgement of Country               

At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the  traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.