Cultural News
St Mary's School Mooroopna
Newsletter Indigenous Education
Term 1 Week 6
New - FIRE Carrier Review of National Apology Day
On the 13th of February, the Yr 5/6 indigenous students and the FIRE Carriers went to the National Apology Breakfast at the Queens Gardens. We sat down at a table at the front. After we sat down, Neil Morris sang the Acknowledgement of Country in Yorta Yorta language. I felt sad when they said sorry. With the Acknowledgement they also did a Smoking Ceremony. I felt proud to represent St Mary’s as a FIRE Carrier. Plenty of people came from different organisations to pay their respect.
By Ivy Valentin Yr 6
On the 13th of February the FIRE Carriers and the indigenous studet went to the Queen’s Garden to listen to the Apology Speech that was made in 2008. The person that said this apology speech was Kevin Rudd. We listened to this speech again at the Apology Day Breakfast.
By Mason May Yr 6
New - Excursion
On Tuesday 24th of February the FIRE Carriers and our Year 5 and 6 Indigenous students attended an excursion to Kaiela Arts in Shepparton. They participated in a ceramic session to create a native animal with clay. They were encouraged to use different tools to carve out the animal shape. The students then decorated the animal.
The students also spent time exploring the art gallery. Yorta Yorta art is characterized by a strong connection to the Murray River and surrounding, often incorporating earthy tones, flowing lines, and symbols representing waterways, community, and land. It often blends traditional storytelling with contemporary techniques, including the use of rarrk (cross-hatching). Key artists often use their work to explore themes of identity, colonial history, and the strength of their community.
Updated - Ganbina - Education Scholarships
At Ganbina our annual scholarships are designed to support all Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants from Prep to Year 6 in Greater Shepparton.
Ganbina provide a range of support to participants including financial support for educational expenses occurred, such as school fees, school uniforms, camps/excursion/swimming, books/stationary, etc. We also provide an internal accelerated learning program for our primary school participants to help get them on track or keep them on track with their schooling.
Ganbina's Scholarship registration flyer for 2026 is below for more information -
2026 Registrations opened on January 27th.
To register for this Scholarship please either click on the link below or contact -
Project Officer - Chrystal Chapman on 0438 217 399 or email chrystal@ganbina.com.au
Ganbina Jobs4U2 Registration Form 2026
2026 Opening The Doors Foundation
STUDENT GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR 2026!
The 2026 grant round will open on the 10th of November 2025 and close on the 2nd of April 2026. The Opening The Doors Foundation invites eligible families to apply for a 2026 student grant. Please read the information below carefully to ensure your application is complete and can be processed.
Due to a large increase in demand, changes have been made to this year’s grant round. The Foundation will prioritise students with the highest financial need to ensure fair access to support. Applicants with a Health Care Card or Pension Card will be processed first. Other applications are still welcome however processing may be slightly delayed.
Please attach a copy of your Health Care or Pension Card to your online application.
Missing documents will delay processing.
All applications must be submitted online via the OTDF Grant Portal below.
The Victorian government is increasing the funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) to $400 per eligible primary and secondary school student, effective from January 1, 2026. Applications for the 2026 CSEF support will open on January 27, and it is for concession card holders. This can be used for uniforms, school camps, and books. To apply for this bonus, contact your school directly. Please consider this as you apply for needed funds from OTDF and apply only for what you need from OTDF. We have limited funding available.
Items you can apply for from OTDF
You may apply for essential school items. Please list your items in order of priority.
Eligible items include:
School books & stationery
School uniforms
One pair of shoes (school or sport shoes)
IT equipment (laptops, calculators, etc.)
VCAL/VET levies
School camp costs
Funding is up to the OTDF grant limit and up to OTDF Trustee discretion. You may not receive the full amount requested.
What We Don’t Fund
Independent school fees (families are responsible for paying private school fees and levies)
Applications where OTDF funds are used for school fees may affect future eligibility.
Other Funding
If the student is already receiving support from:
Traditional Owner education grants
First Nations scholarships
Other charities
School financial assistance
The application may not be successful. Final decisions are made by OTDF Trustees.
✅ Eligibility
To apply, the student must:
✔️ Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
✔️ Provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality
✔️ Be enrolled in a Catholic or Independent school in Victoria (Prep–Year 12)
❌ OTDF does not support students attending government schools
How Grants Are Provided
Grants are mostly provided as vouchers from approved suppliers
Vouchers must be used by 31st of May 2026
For camp levies, school uniforms, or school IT items, funds are sent directly to the school if the school supplies these items
📅 Key Dates
* Applications Open - 10th November 2025
* Applications Close - 2nd of April 2026 (strict deadline)
* ALL Vouchers expire on - 31st of May 2026
PLEASE NOTE - The school can longer apply for this on your behalf.
Workshops
Girls Indigenous Program
Boys Indigenous Program
Acknowledgement of Country
At St Mary’s Primary School Mooroopna we Acknowledge the Traditional people of this land. The Yorta Yorta Nation are the Traditional Custodians of this area and we remember their elders, past, present and future. We remember that the Aboriginal people of Australia will always be the traditional owners of the land on which we gather today. We continue to grow through education and reconciliation to a better future for all Australians.
