NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC WEEK & YARNING CIRCLE OPENING

Wominjeka / Welcome

National NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. 

The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

As part of our 2025 NAIDOC Week celebrations, Truganina College proudly marked the official opening of our Yarning Circle, a space dedicated to connection, storytelling, reflection and cultural learning. This significant occasion was made even more special with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Shane Clarke, a highly respected Elder and proud Bunurong Man.

We were honoured to welcome special guests from the wider community who joined students, families/carers and staff in a powerful and respectful gathering that recognised and celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and achievements. Following the ceremony, guests and community members shared morning tea and yarns, deepening connections and strengthening our shared commitment to reconciliation.

We thank everyone who contributed to this meaningful event and look forward to embedding the Yarning Circle into the life and learning of Truganina College.

This special space would not have come to life without the incredible support of:

• Jessica Radford – Koorie Engagement Support Officer for Department of Education + Wyndham Area

• Josh Eaton – Koorie Cultural Officer

• Christina Arnold – Director of Wellbeing and Inclusion

• Uncle Shane Clarke - Senior Cultural Heritage Representative with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation

• Daniel Ward - First Nations Youth Engagement Worker for Wyndham City Council

• Facilities Team - Ronnie, Paul, Ainsley and Maxine — for their craftsmanship, creativity, and care in building this space.

The Yarning Circle is a gift for our whole community — a place for yarning, reflection, gardening, cooking, and learning together in ways that honour culture, country and connection.

James Damjanovski

Year 5 Assitant Principal + Marrung Champion