Koorie education and engagement

Meeting place/Indigenous Garden

Last week, we finally finished clearing the space at the front of the school for our Meeting Place and Indigenous Garden.

EMC worked last year with our Koorie students to start bringing the idea to last. Unfortunately because of COVID restrictions, we didn’t get a chance to do much. We are developing it as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

We are 1 of 11 schools in Victoria who have an endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan (meaning, the local Aboriginal Traditional Owners, the Bunurong Land Council, have approved our RAP). The action within our RAP is that EMC should physically and visibly demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions in the school environment. This will reinforce work towards reconciliation through the incorporation of meaningful, relevant and culturally appropriate art, artefacts and symbolism into learning environments. It will also make our intentions and actions clear to our students, parents and the broader community. EMC acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the Traditional Owners of the land the College is on. By having a safe space for students and the community to meet and celebrate their culture, right at the front of the College, everyone can see that we have respect for, and recognition of, the First Australians. It promotes a sense of community partnership and is a public commitment toward reconciliation.

In the first week back of Term 2, Lionel from Living Culture will inspect the site and help plan the design with our students. We’re hopeful to hold an opening ceremony during National Reconciliation Week.

Marrung Educational Scholarship Presentations

On Tuesday 9 March, Dean King (Principal), Stephanie Raike (Head of Wellbeing and Support) and Melanie Paxton (Bindana Middle School leader, and one of our teachers who identifies as Aboriginal) attended the Marrung education scholarships presentation in the city.

Two EMC students, Eliza Jane and Rekita, were recipients of a scholarship each, which support Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to complete years 11 and 12. There are 20 scholarships of $5,000 each ($2,500 per year over two years). 20 scholarships for the whole of Victoria.

The scholarships recognise students who demonstrate a high potential to succeed in their chosen pathway.

A selection panel made up of representatives from Department and the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) reviews applications and selects the 20 successful applicants. Selection is based on the following criteria:

involvement in the Aboriginal community
year 10 results
school reports
potential to succeed in a chosen pathway
references from school and community representatives.

We are very proud of Eliza Jane and Rekita, and can't wait to see them continue to work hard over the next two years and continue to achieve success.

L to R - Dean King (EMC Principal), Uncle Lionel (VAEAI General Manager), Eliza Jane, Rekita and Aunty Vera Briggs

Victoria’s Truth And Justice Process - announced 9 March 2021

"Today has been owed for 233 years.

233 years of violence, dispossession and deprivation. 233 years of deliberate silence.

Today we commit to telling the truth.

We do so for the kids who never came home – and those who are still finding their way back.

For those who were told they were not allowed to speak their own language, practice their own culture, know their own identity.

For the families who lost loved ones in the massacres.

For those who were made to feel like they didn’t belong to their own country. And for those who still feel this way.

Today we commit to telling their truth.

We do so in partnership – a shared commitment between the Victorian Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the state’s first and only democratically-elected body for Aboriginal people.

Named after the Wemba Wemba/Wamba Wamba word for ‘truth’, the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission will formally begin its work in the coming months. "

See more from the Victorian Government Press Release here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/joint-statement-victorias-truth-and-justice-process