First Nations

Day 4 of 6 at Yarra Ranges Tech School

We had nine deadly students who went to the Yarra Ranges Tech School (their fourth day out of six) on 1st May. Students were able to use Miro Board (planning app), Designer (game app) and a 3D printing app to begin planning their school-based project. Students have been encouraged to design an Indigenous project to display around school and they complete this project in pairs. In the next newsletter update we will be able to show you what students are planning to make! Here is why our Koorie days are important for our First Nations students: "I like going to the Koorie program to learn more about my culture, learn new things and make new friends from other schools.’"– Gem KD. 

National Sorry Day

Every year on 26th May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations.’   The first National Sorry Day was held on 26th May 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in parliament. The Bringing Them Home report is a result of a Government Inquiry into the past policies which caused children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century.   We cannot begin to fix the problems of the present without accepting the truth of our history. National Sorry Day asks us to acknowledge the Stolen Generations, and in doing so, reminds us that historical injustice is still ongoing source of intergenerational trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, communities and peoples.

National Reconciliation Week 

As we gather to commemorate National Reconciliation Week 2025, we reflect on the importance of unity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. This year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future – learning from the past to look ahead and push forward on the reconciliation journey.

Understanding the Significance 

National Reconciliation Week runs annually from May 27th to June 3rd, marking two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, which saw over 90% of Australians vote to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and allow the federal government to create laws for them and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision, which recognised native title rights.   These historic events are reminders of the progress made and the work still needed to achieve true reconciliation. NRW is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to the reconciliation.

How is LHC celebrating NRW? 

During SELF classes between May 27 to June 3, all students have been learning about National Reconciliation Week. All students will be able to partake in NRW activities throughout the week. 

Answers to last month’s Trivia

How many distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups or "mobs" are there across Australia?

a)  around 50

b)  about 150

c)  over 250

d)  nearly 500  <------

The Aboriginal artwork symbol below represents:

a)  meeting place

b)  camps

c)  four women sitting  <------

d)  two men sitting

Which of the following is a traditional bush food used by Australia’s First Nations people?

a)  quinoa

b)  wattleseed  <------

c)  kale

d)  rice

What was the name of the Aboriginal mission near Healesville, Victoria, where First Nations people successfully farmed the land and protested for their rights in the late 1800s?

a)  Lake Tyers

b)  Framlingham

c)  Coranderrk  <------

d)  Cummeragunia

On the Aboriginal flag of Australia, what does the red colour represent?

a)  the blood of the people

b)  the land  <------

c)  the setting sun

d)  the spirit world

Key significant dates on the calendar:

• 2nd - 9th June 2025 – National Reconciliation Week 
• 3rd June 2025 – Mabo Day

Taylah Moschetti - First Nations Advocate at Lilydale Heights College. 

Email her at taylah.moschetti@education.vic.gov.au if you ever need a yarn. 

Until the next newsletter update!