First Nations News

By Janine Quick - First Nations Coordinator

Reconciliation Week

We began our 2025 Reconciliation Week Assembly with a traditional dance by our Dhurrung students, Mok Borrinyn Narro, which means "Proud Female" in Wadawurrung language. Created by Year 10 student Evie and her cousin, the dance tells the story of the everyday lives of Aboriginal women, celebrating cultural knowledge, women’s strength, and cultural connection.

We were honoured to welcome Brenda Matthews as our guest speaker. Brenda is an author, speaker, and film director who shared her powerful story of being stolen not once, but twice. Her journey of belonging, love, courage, and healing moved us all. Brenda's strength was truly inspiring to our audience, and we recommend you check out her book and documentary 'The Last Daughter'.

This year’s theme, "Bridging Now to Next," calls us to reflect, connect, and take meaningful steps toward a future that is just, inclusive, and grounded in truth. As we celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of First Nations people, we continue our shared journey towards reconciliation, living out our school values at Loreto.

Students participated in a full week of activities that were led by our FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carriers. The new program brings together students and staff who are allies of First Nations people and who share a passion for learning about Aboriginal culture and promoting reconciliation.

Throughout the week, our FIRE Carriers organised a range of activities, including collaborative art projects, puzzles, and special Reconciliation Week ribbons. A special thank you to our JPIC and Sustainability groups for their support throughout the week.

Possum Skin Cloak

At our Reconciliation Week Assembly, our Dhurrung students proudly presented their Possum Skin Cloak, a powerful expression of shared cultural identity and connection. Created with contributions from past and present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, each section tells a personal story. The circles represent Lake Wendouree, a gathering place that has always brought people together.

Guided by Aaron Clarke from BADAC, the cloak was completed and then cleansed in a smoking ceremony, symbolising spiritual protection and ancestral presence. Now, it will be worn at significant events as both a learning artefact and a symbol of reconciliation, representing the respect the Loreto College Ballarat community holds for all First Peoples of this land.

National Sorry Day

Our Dhurrung students and Year 8s joined Damascus College and St Patrick’s College to commemorate National Sorry Day.

The ceremony opened with a Welcome to Country by Macaylah Johnson (Class of 2019), a proud Wadawurrung woman and valued member of our Loreto community. First Nations Captain Isabella Jungbauer proudly represented Loreto College as co-MC, joining student leaders from all three schools to lead the ceremony.

Those in attendance also heard from Brenda Matthews, author of The Last Daughter who shared her powerful story. We look forward to welcoming Brenda at our Reconciliation Week Assembly later this week so all students can hear her story.

Thank you to Damascus College for hosting this event. Together, our Ballarat Catholic secondary schools continue to walk the ongoing journey of healing and towards reconciliation.