Koorie Education 

& Engagement

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK

Speech from EMC Flag Raising Ceremony

On behalf of the Koorie students at EMC, we would like to share about the celebration on Tuesday 28/5.  It is the first National Reconciliation Week (NRW) since the referendum, and there are some renewed conversations around NRW and what reconciliation means, and some of those conversations might be challenging.  Yesterday, students thanked the community for standing with them, “for the work that happens behind the scenes every single day, not just saved for the big events when people are looking and listening”.   At EMC, events like yesterday exemplify what Koorie Engagement and Engagement at this school is built on.  

The EMC NRW Flag Raising Ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week is a student led event and has been since the first one in 2019, and Alex (Murri Warri Ngemba, Year 12) spoke yesterday about how it is “important for us as young Aboriginal people to have a platform to have our voices heard”.   The reflections they shared, the invitations to non-Indigenous allies to speak and sing, and the invitations to every guest – were all directly from the students.  There can be no doubting the passion and drive of these emerging leaders, and I think their hope that “[their] children, and children’s children, that they may never know anything different than a country of truth, healing and equity” is shared with all who were part of the flag raising yesterday. 

Thank you to the families who were able to come along.  The students have been working on this event since last term and they were very proud of themselves.  It was incredible to see so many people from local schools, community and families come together in recognition that, “now more than ever, … we need more allies to stand with [us], even when things get hard… we need truth telling and Treaty and for things to be better”. 

Thank you all for being part of an incredible local community, as the students said – “when we celebrate together, we are working to build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.”

National Reconciliation Week (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 achieving reconciliation in Australia. The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.  EMC is one of few government secondary schools who have a Reconciliation Action Plan – available here: https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/raps/22935/elisabeth-murdoch-college 

The 2024 NRW theme, Now More Than Ever reminds us that, no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.  Now more than ever, we need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation. It is imperative that supporters of reconciliation stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.  

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  

“So, we ask you to do more than turn up to a National Reconciliation Week event.  We ask you to put us in the spotlight and allow us to define the issues that impact us.  Celebrate our successes.  Understand that some spaces can only be ours.  We know you may not always get it right, but we just ask that you always be ready to listen and to learn.” – Alex and Jenaya, NRW Flag Raising Ceremony 2023

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR NRW 2024

•    Korin Gamadji Institute’s Dreamtime Expo @ Richmond FC

•    Marrung Scholarship Ceremony for Noah and Harvey

•    Year 10 student Jeffrey performed in ceremonial dance as part of pre match entertainment with Richmond FC for Dreamtime at the ‘G https://www.afl.com.au/video/1138253/moving-dreamtime-performance-captivates-mcg?videoId=1138253&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1716631244001

•    Home group curriculum, scoped and sequenced across all year levels

•    Bell music changed to Indigenous artists for the week

•    Launch of new EMC football jersey designed by Merindah Gunya Art

•    Flag Raising Ceremony @ Nairm Marr Djambana (Frankston Aboriginal Gathering Place)

•    Sausage sizzle at lunch time to fundraise for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation

•    Lizzie’s Café (student run cafe for staff) featured some Indigenous ingredients as part of their menu at lunch time

•    Acknowledgement of Country at Langwarrin Young Leaders Network Day

•    EMC NRW Flag Raising Ceremony at lunch time (all welcome)

•    Koorie Emerging Leaders in Schools program @ Mornington SC

UPCOMING DATES

• KELiS @ Mornington SC - 6/6
• Senior students exursion to NIKERI Institute at Deakin Uni Geelong - 20/6
• NAIDOC Week - 7/7 - 14/7
• EMC Koorie student NAIDOC project - photography exhibition launch @ Nairm Marr Djambana's NAIDOC event - 8/7
• Koorie Academy Basketball workshop - 18/7
• First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria workshop - 1/8

Research and Anti-Racism Survey

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is conducting research into experiences of racial discrimination and vilification to better protect the community. The Commission is seeking your help to complete a short survey. The survey is available here, including a tailored version for First Nations people. The survey is translated into many languages and is for people of all ages and backgrounds who have experienced racism. It will take 15–20 minutes to complete.

NAIDOC Theme Announced for 2024 

This year’s theme, chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. The theme is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and identity. A call for the reclamation of narratives about the First Peoples of Australia.  NAIDOC Week (7-14 July 2024) celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. First Nations communities, registered businesses, schools and local governments are all encouraged to run an activity or event that directly relates to the 2024 NAIDOC theme.