Cultural News
Newsletter Indigenous Education
Some significant dates for Term 2 –
27th May – 3rd June – Reconciliation Week
3rd June – Mabo Day
Term 2 Week 6
Reminder - WEAR IT YELLOW
On Friday 29th May we will raise money for Children’s Ground. This organisation focuses on narrowing the gap with our Indigenous kids around Australia.
We will wear a splash of yellow during the “Wear It Yellow Day”.
Students are able to wear a yellow t-shirt, yellow socks or ribbon, and encouraged to bring a gold coin to donate to this great cause.
Families are welcome to donate by scanning the QR code in the above Flyer..
New - Aboriginal Art & Craft Exhibition
New - National Walk for Truth
Classes have been following the Walk for Truth with Travis Lovett, a Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man who served as Deputy Chair and Commissioner for the Yoorrook Justice Commission, began the National Walk for Truth from the Steps of Victoria’s
Parliament House and he will be walking more than 840 kms from Melbourne to Federal Parliament in Canberra. The FIRE Carriers have been tracking where Travis is and have been following his journey by viewing articles or videos.
This week Travis is embarking on the Canberra Leg of his walk. He will present the possum skin cloak to Prime Minister Anthony Ablanese on Wednesday 27th of May.
If you would like to read more - https://melbournecatholic.org/news/national-walk-for-truth-a-journey-towards-healing
If you would like to show your support the National Walk for Truth you may like to get involved by signing the open letter to the Prime Minister.
If you would like to read more - Support the National Walk for Truth - Catholic Social Services Victoria
New - Women’s Business
On Friday 15th of May our Indigenous girls from Year 3 to 6 had the opportunity to engage in women’s business. Tahlia, our Koorie Worker, organised an incursion with Thara from Wala Connections. It was a full day to work on a story that related to them and they created a song and added movement into a dance. In the coming weeks, the girls will continue to develop their dance and will create emu feather costumes. We look forward to having the girls dance for the whole school at Assembly soon.
An Update from our FIRE Carriers
On Monday 25th of May, the FIRE Carriers presented at Assembly about Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. On Tuesday 26th of May, Sorry Day, we began our morning with a Smoking Ceremony by Neil Cooper. Our FIRE Carriers also raised our flags halfway as a sign of respect for this day.
At 10:30 our FIRE Carriers and the Year 5 and 6 indigenous students attended the Commemorative Service in Shepparton at Monash Park. Students will learn about the Stolen Generation and the significance of Sorry Day. Nyoka Winmar-Saunders and Theo Natalizio placed a wreath of flowers at the base of the flags as part of the service.
New - Sorry Day Recount
The FIRE Carriers have written their own recount of attending the Sorry Day Commemorative Service.
We had our own Smoking Ceremony at school led by Neil Cooper. Then we left school and we went to Monash Park, Shepparton. We then sat down and heard Wilfrid Stewart play the didgeridoo and Dr Neil Morris sang a Welcome to Country. Then some high school students did some readings to tell us about whey we were there and some background about the elders. Then Nyoka and I carried the wreath and I put it down under the aboriginal flag. Then more school students spoke and it ended by the event organisers saying thank you. I felt very engaged and happy to learn a lot of information about eh past and the importance of elders.
By Theo Natalizio
On Tuesday 26th of May, the FIRE Carriers and Indigenous students went to a very important service to celebrate Sorry Day. As Dr Neil Morris shared his Welcome to Country in language, I felt good. I also liked when Wilfrid Stewart did the didgeridoo. We also saw some indigenous girls do some indigenous dancing. Bobby Nicols then thanked people for coming. I felt good because I liked how the girls did the dancing.
By Isabella McNair
On the 26th of May the FIRE Carriers and other indigenous students went to the Sorry Day Commemorative Service. It was at Monash Park in Shepparton. There were Yorta Yorta elders and local school students there. I felt great about seeing all the elders and being part of the ceremony. Uncle Bobby ended the ceremony. It was great to see everyone come together.
By Mason Dwyer
We sat down and Wilfrid Stewart did the didgeridoo, and the Acknowledgment of Country and smoking ceremony was done by Dr Neil Morris. Theo and Nyoka laid the wreath and other people raised the flags. Other students from local schools talked about why we have Sorry Day. Then some children from Notre Dame College performed a dance. The service concluded by thanking everyone for participating. I felt proud, curious and exited to attend as a FIRE Carrier.
By Ivy Valentin
On Tuesday we left school at 9:40 am and took a bus to Monash Park. There were lots of Yorta Yorta elders and there was Dr Neil Morris who did the Welcome to Country. Wilfrid Stewart played the didgeridoo. There was also some girls dancing. There was a minute’s silence when they raised the flags. Then Bobby Nicols said thanks to everyone who attended. It made me feel happy to attend.
By Mason May
New - Sorry Day around the Classrooms
Across the school, students participated in an activity such as reading a story about Sorry Day, listening to Archie Roach’s song – Took the Children Away and created a reflection piece of work.
In Year 3 to 6, they learnt about Ruth’s story of being taken from her family. You are welcome to view her story - 'Separation – Ruth’s Story'
The Prep students created artwork that is displayed outside their classroom.
Updated - Reconciliation Week
On Wednesday 27th of May, National Reconciliation Week began.
This week and into next, classes will explore this year’s theme – All In. Across the whole school, classes will learn about the importance of reconciliation. They will learn about First Nations culture though reading stories, listening to songs, learning games in PE and ways they can be “all in” with reconciliation.
Mass for the Healing and Justice
On Friday 29th of May the Sandhurst Diocese will hold a Mass for Healing and Justice at St
Mel’s Church at 11 am. Our FIRE Carriers will be representing St Mary’s with Ms Vertriest and Mrs Dyke. They will be part of a choir with students from St Mel’s, St Luke’s and St Brendan’s. If you would like to participate there is a live stream link in the flyer attached.
Mabo Day
At our next Assembly, Monday 1st of June, the students in Year 6 will present about Mabo Day. Mabo Day is celebrated annually on June 3rd. It commemorates Eddie Koiki Mabo and the historic 1992 High Court of Australia decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2). This landmark ruling overturned terra nullius – the colonial legal term that described that the continent was empty of land before European settlement – and recognized Indigenous Native Title.
The students in Year 5 and 6 will also perform as part of a choir, singing the song “Beds Are Burning” as part of the Reconciliation Choir. We hope to record them performing to send to Reconciliation Victoria.
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
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.
