Cultural News - Week 6
New - 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.
Updated - On Country Excursion
On Thursday 6th of November, the FIRE Carriers and Yr 5/6 Indigenous students went to Dookie. There is a walking trail up Mount Major which is called "Mulana nin iyoga," which translates to "Spirit of Stone" in the Yorta Yorta language, highlighting the ancient connection to the land and its rock formations. As we walked the trail, we read from the information panels along the trail which helped us understand the significance of the area, its history, and the Yorta Yorta's deep knowledge of its resources. The Dookie region was historically a source of silcrete stone, a key material for making advanced stone tools, and was a vital part of a broader trade network for the Yorta Yorta people.
Here are some written reflections from our students:
“Mt Major is in Dookie and it’s 2 km to climb up and 2 km to climb down. It is rocky and there are different coloured rocks and land. It is on Yorta Yorta land. There was once an active volcano. There are lots of ancient rocks.”
Orlayah Lines
“I found out that indigenous people would climb up the the top of Mt Major to see what the other clans were doing. From the Dookie hills, Yorta Yorta people used the green stone to make tools.”
Will Ryan
“On Mt Major, a plant called Kangaroo grass grows in this area. The Dookie hills were made by an underground volcano. There was lots of rocks and we saw lots of kangaroo scats. It was very tiring to climb up but climbing down was so much fun.”
Nevaeh Collins
“I had never heard of Mt Major before. Mt Major is made up of volcanic rocks and the area is very hilly. It was very rocky.”
Jensen Ferrari
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.
