An Audience with Mr. Jim Berg 

Getting to know Uncle Jim Berg

I would like to begin by thanking, Ms Michael, for giving me and many other Indigenous students the opportunity to meet and sit with Uncle Jim Berg. As a result of our meeting, we were able to create valuable connections both with our school and with our Indigenous students.

I first met Uncle Jim two years ago when my year 10 law class went on an excursion to the Broadmeadows Magistrates Court.  On this visit we were very fortunate to be able to observe cases in the Koorie Court where Uncle Jim was sitting as an Elder.  I recall feeling calm and relaxed being in the Koorie Court as compared to the other court rooms because I was in familiar surroundings. There were paintings and artefacts decorating the room, seats filled with respected Indigenous Elders; Uncle Jim included. In our Aboriginal culture when we meet, we are all equal and this was reflected in the Koorie Court when everyone connected to the case being heard was seated around a large oval table. This clearly demonstrated that no one person, not even Her Honour Burchill, was above anybody else. After observing a few cases, the court was adjourned, and Uncle Jim introduced himself and explained a little of how he came to be there that day. This excursion would have to be one of my favourites because it was a fascinating opportunity to see how the courts operate first-hand, but the Koorie Court also included my culture and it operated in a way in which my people would traditionally settle disputes and grievances. 

Two years later we were honoured to have Uncle Jim as a special guest at our school as Ms Michael kept in touch with him that whole time. Approximately fifteen of us met together with our Principal Mr McNeil, teachers and Indigenous students and we were engrossed in conversation. Uncle Jim showed a great interest in who we were, what thoughts and ideas we had, and he even told some of us about our families by just hearing our surnames. Uncle Jim shared stories of his childhood, and what it was like growing up Indigenous in a time where you were thrown out of pubs, mocked and abused on the streets and treated like you were not even human. In our meeting Uncle Jim shared his stories and poems with us and he encouraged us to always be proud of our heritage and of our rich culture. I feel very fortunate to be in the position that I am in today where my voice is heard and my views matter, and where I will not be punished for celebrating the amazing culture I was born into. My connection to Uncle Jim was instant the very first time I met him, and I felt re-connected to my roots from his very first visit to our school. Little did I know that we were even more closely connected because we share a common ancestor, Truganini, the last known Indigenous speaker in Tasmania. I am in awe of his many accomplishments, and he is admired and highly respected not only in my community, but also by many people across the whole of Australia and around the world.

It was an honour to meet Uncle Jim, and I hope that Reservoir High School will continue to have this special association with him and our Indigenous students to maintain the connection with Australia’s true history, my peoples’ history.

Eboney Jackson 

School Captain, Year 12

 “Acknowledgement of Country”  

 Recently, on Tuesday May 17th sessions 3 and 4, all the year 9 students had a very special guest come and talk about his family’s devastating experience not only during but after the time of the Stolen Generation. This special guest is a highly respected Aboriginal Elder, Uncle Jim Berg. Before Uncle Jim spoke, Ella and I, had a few words to say first. Ella talked about her family’s past regarding the Stolen Generation, and she also highlighted some of the many achievements and advisory committees that Uncle Jim has contributed to in his long and distinguished career advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Following this, I had the great honour of delivering the “Acknowledgement of Country” as well as providing an overview of my family’s tribes.

This was a very difficult process having to write up what I should say as well as practising to speak in front of an audience of 150 people. I wrote my speech to open this very moving event, and this took many attempts to perfect my pace, tone and intonation in order to deliver the best opening for the audience. All the way until I had to speak, I was rehearsing as much as possible to make sure this speech would be delivered professionally. Undertaking, this role, has increased my confidence in public speaking and has changed the way I choose to speak in front of a large audience. 

As the students started to arrive class by class, I became extremely nervous; Ms. Popovska reassured me that everything would be okay, and to be brave. As well as the reassurance from Ms. Popovska, Uncle Jim said, “If you can talk to me, you can talk to hundreds”.  I found the courage to speak with pride, and I was amazed that I spoke with strength and passion. Also, when Uncle Jim shared with us some of the sad and touching events of his life, they were very educational, and taught me so much about the Stolen Generation. Uncle Jim was very generous to gift Ella and I badges’, and his own book with personal poetry and reflections of his life. I am very grateful for the incredible experience that was given to me, and it will be something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

Shakira Newitt 9C

An Audience with Mr. Jim Berg: Aboriginal Elder of the Gunditjmara People of South-Western Victoria

A most amazing feat was achieved on May 17th, during sessions 3 and 4.

Our Year 9 cohort were transfixed and had given their undivided attention to the very distinguished and accomplished Aboriginal Elder Mr. Jim Berg. Shakira Newitt of 9C, began proceedings with a compelling rendering of “Acknowledgment of Country”, followed by her overview of her Aboriginal heritage. Ella Johnson of 9B, ensued with her sombre recall of family loss and grief due to the Stolen Generation, and how it continued to have repercussions in future generations.

Mr. Jim Berg had us all gathered around and leaning in to listen to his story; he provided background, evidence and personal experiences of hardship and discrimination. We heard of the devastating effects of removing children from their families, however, he balanced this with a few heart-warming success stories of devoted adoptive families and how they maintained links to their adoptive children’s birth families. He also displayed his treasured possum skin coat which was a sight to behold. 

I would like to thank Mr. Rohan Bayley for picking up this brief at a moment’s notice and for creating a warm intimate atmosphere that was so conducive to open conversation. In particular I would like to congratulate, Ms. Chris Michael, who turned a swift interlude with Mr. Berg at the Broadmeadows Koorie Magistrates Court almost two years ago into a most moving and memorable event for our Year 9 students, guests and staff present. Mr. Berg also donated some of his personal book collection to the library and he gave Ms. Michele Riali and Ms. Chris Michael very special gifts. In addition to this, he also gifted the school a carefully selected range of plants for our native sensory garden. 

An unforgettable experience…

Lily Popovska

Year 9 Coordinator