Cultural News

Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week 2024

This year’s theme is Now More Than Ever. We are encouraged to move forward, connecting with one another and looking forward towards a reconciled future.

New - Sorry Day Flag Raising

This year Sorry Day was on Sunday 26th of May. At school, on Monday 27th of May, we begun the day with a flag raising ceremony and prayer which remembered the Stolen Generation. 

New - Sorry Day Commemorative Service

On Monday 27th May our FIRE Carriers and some of our Yr 5/6 indigenous students attended the Sorry Day Commemorative Service at Monash Park in Shepparton.

The service was presented by Uncle Bobby Nicholls and Deidre Robertson from the Reconciliation Action Group. 

Various secondary schools also had students who shared their thoughts about the Bringing Them Home Report that was written 27 years ago. Uncle Bobby shared his experience of attending the Victorian Police Commissioner, Shane Patton’s, apology that was given last week. Deirdre also shared the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission as part of the nation’s first formal truth-telling process. 

This report from 2023 allowed First Peoples to have a voice in sharing stories about the Victorian’s child protection and criminal justice systems.

Our students put a decorated hand print around the flag poles, that was part of their learning prior to attending.

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.