The Meeting Place

National Reconciliation Week at SMC 

National Reconciliation Week Breakfast 

On Wednesday 27 May, staff and students from SMC attended the National Reconciliation Week Breakfast in Nipaluna/Hobart. Alongside a delicious breakfast, we heard from speakers including Sinsa Mansell, Ryk Goddard, Rodney Gibbins, Alison Overeem, Cody Gangell‑Smith and Prof Tim McCormack, who shared truth, challenge and hope, prompting deep reflection on what meaningful reconciliation in Tasmania must become. DENNI and the St Patrick’s College choir performed songs about Lutruwita, sung in Palawa Kani.

NRW colouring competition winners announced! 

Congratulations to the following students for winning the Reconciliation Week colouring competition: Harneez Kaur (Year 3), Abi Cole and Laylah Woodward (Year 6), and Amy Houareau (Year 8). All artwork submissions are now on display in the Student Resource Centre. Thank you and well done to all students who took part.

Ripples for Reconciliation collaborative art 

During Reconciliation Week, students took part in an art activity inspired by Aboriginal artist Otis Hope Carey’s work Gaagal, where the ocean symbolises people coming together. 

Each student created their own 'ripple' using simple blue and green designs, representing how individual actions – no matter how small – can contribute to positive change. Within their designs, students included a single word or idea, such as respect, listen, learn, or unity, thoughtfully woven into the artwork. 

These individual ripples have been collected and will be combined into a larger collaborative display, reflecting the strength of our community when we work together toward reconciliation. This piece will be entered into the Reconciliation Tasmania ‘Youth Speak Out’ held later this year. Our collective art is a powerful visual reminder that every action counts and that together, we can create lasting impact. 

Below is the latest work‑in‑progress version of the combined artwork.

Tasmanian Dreaming Stories

Students gathered in the Student Resource Centre on a rainy lunchtime during National Reconciliation Week to watch a selection of Tasmanian Dreaming stories. Together, we explored the story of Ballawinne (Red Ochre) and learned how Trowenna – known today as Tasmania – came to be.

Trowenna is a name from the Nuenonne nation of Bruny Island, off the southeast coast of Lutruwita/Tasmania, and it was a meaningful opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the stories and cultures of the First Peoples of this land.