Deputy Principal

We are Stronger As one

Last week I was sitting on the lounge watching The Voice on TV and I saw a young lady named Olivia Coe Fox sing, ‘I am Australian’. Olivia is a young Wiradjuri woman who sang the song in her own words in English as well as her own language. If you have not had a chance to see it, I highly recommend it. The way she sang it and told her story reminds me of where we need to get to as a nation. 

We are all Australian, whether First Nations or immigrants and we share a proud history. First nation history is our Australian History, and we acknowledge the past wrongs that occurred when European settlers came to Australia and together, we must move forward to ensure that we celebrate Australia, as one united community.

The EREA Charter is based on the Scriptures, First Nations Knowings and Catholic Teaching. We stand proudly with our First Nations brothers and sisters. In our Charter, Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann writes, ‘It is easy for me to experience God’s presence… with the power over our destiny our children will flourish… there is nothing so urgent we must hurry… we invite you to walk with us to a better future.’

Our First Nations peoples are inviting us to walk with them. To take the time to get to know our land, to understand our land, to understand the rich history our nation has had over hundreds of thousands of years. Listening to Olivia sing last week, reminded me that we must walk with our First Nations people. At St Patrick’s College we are committed to reconciliation. It is our obligation to ensure a better world for all the people of Australia.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal