Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

On Wednesday  4th September at Heathmont College, we are invited our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families along with Indigenous students from our network schools, to a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country.

The occasion was to officially open the new Gathering Circle. The Gathering Circle was designed by Aboriginal artist Simone Thomson - the same artist who has designed our Indigenous Garden & College Values. She also has recently designed our Indigenous House Designs. 

Simone facilitated the Smoking Ceremony to connect the Gathering Circle to the land and to let the spirits know that we are welcome. The ceremony also involved attendees to cleanse their heads and feet with the smoke. A Welcome to Country was then facilitated by Aboriginal Elder, Aunty Zeta Thomson. Aunty Zeta talked about history of the Wurundjeri land we are on, and officially Welcomed us.

We all then enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea which was catered by Mullum Creations from Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place.  We really appreciate the attendance of our Indigenous student and their families, Indigenous students from many of our neighbouring schools and their teachers. We also appreciate the attendance from Vanessa Murdoch from EACH, Jac and Maddi Moorby from VACCA, our Koorie Engagement Support Officer (Thomas Harrison) and of course, Simone Thomson and Aunty Zeta Thomson.

Shane Hunt

Acting Assistant Principal