Koorie Education
& Engagement
EMC Koorie Christmas
Last Thursday was an incredibly meaningful and proud day for EMC Koorie students and the wider community. The 7th annual Koorie Christmas brought together over 125 people including Elders; current, past AND future EMC Koorie students, their friends and families; primary school students; community; and staff; in a celebration that truly reflected the strength, leadership and courage of EMC Koorie students in 2025.
The event was intentionally more relaxed by choice of the current student cohort, because again, the event was student led and delivered. EMC Koorie students took to the stage to speak about culture, belonging, truth telling – and the huge year they’ve had. Beginning with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Ganga Giri of the Bunurong Land Council, students then guided the entire program by sharing reflections, celebrating achievements, honouring their supporters, and acknowledging what it means to walk proudly in culture every single day.
Across the speeches, one theme stood out – culture thrives when it is carried by young people, supported by community, and celebrated by schools. EMC Koorie students spoke with passion, unapologetic honesty and pride (some speaking in public for the first time, overcoming a monumental amount of nerves). They spoke about leadership, connection to Country, Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools (KELiS) and its two state level awards, NAIDOC workshops, partnership events, alumni visits, and the many moments that strengthened their identity as individuals and a group this year. The Year 12 reflections were a highlight, as they were deeply personal, full of gratitude, and a testament to the lifelong relationships built through EMC.
The closing remarks from proud Gunaikurnai and Taungurung Year 12 student Noah, who stood with Year 8 Koorie student Hunter, grounded the day in a powerful reminder of cultural resilience and the importance of allyship. Noah shared that “EMC is more than a school. It’s a place where you belong, where your story is valued, and where you can grow into whoever you want to be”.
We were honoured to be joined by many important community members and supporters, including:
- Uncle Ricky Baldwin, Koorie Academy Basketball - https://koorieacademybasketball.com
- Aunty Dawn
- Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People - https://ccyp.vic.gov.au
- Ganga Giri - https://gangagiri.com/
- Georgia and Lena, Weenthunga Health Network - https://www.weenthunga.com.au
- Koorie student families, EMC Koorie student alumni
- 2026 Year 7 Koorie students
- Koorie students from Langwarrin Primary School and Woodlands Primary School
- EMC Koorie alumni students
- Representatives from the Department of Education including LOOKOUT Principal Murray Geddes
- Jeremy Nikora
- Anahera and Kura, Victorian Electoral Commission
- Frankston Youth Services
We also acknowledged mob who sent apologies, including Brian, Alan and Shilo (DE Koorie Education Workforce), Josh West (Bunurong Land Council), Kylie Bell (chair of the LAECG), Thomas Cazaly (DE Koorie Outcomes Division), Brady Cooper (William Cooper Institute), Bayley Mifsud (Merindah Gunya Art), Uncle Luke and Chloe (Korin Gamadji Institute), EMC Koorie alumni students Jenaya Bartlett and Jesse Jewiss, and others who continue to support EMC throughout the year.
Koorie Christmas has always been about celebration, connection and community. The students didn’t just run an event; they again demonstrated why EMC and EMC students are looked to as leaders in this space. It was a celebration of another massive year, but also a promise for the future. Thank you to every student, family member, staff member and community partner who stood with EMC Koorie students at Koorie Christmas and across 2025 – as Jeffrey, Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba Year 11 student said, thank you to those “who share their wisdom, and who inspire [the students] just by being who they are”.
On behalf of the EMC Koorie Education and Engagement team – I’ll leave you with one of the closing lines from Noah – “everyone benefits from a place where culture is respected, stories are shared, and everyone can feel proud of who they are”.