RECONCILIATION WEEK

LHS Celebrations

Every year, Reconciliation Week is a significant event on the LHS calendar. Our Koori students worked with teachers to plan this year’s events, which included playing First Nation Artists as Bell Music, holding a fundraiser for the Healing Foundation, face painting and educating the school on the significance of the week.

On National Sorry Day, two of our First Nations students from Year 9, Alyshah Beers and Alannah Bomford, made a SPEECH to the whole school during an assembly about the significance of the week.  Aylshah Beers’ mob is Wiradjuri and Alannah Bomford’s is Gunditjmara.

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respects to the elders past, present and emerging for they hold the memories, the traditions and the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples across the nation. 

Wominjeka, my name is Aylshah Beers and my mob is Wiradjuri from up around the border of Vic and inside New South. We are here today because we want to share with everyone some information about significant events on the First Nations calendar, in honour of Reconciliation Week. 

Today is National Sorry Day. This is an important day as we remember all those who were mistreated as part of the Stolen Generations. 

Tomorrow is the first day of Reconciliation Week. This week 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 first and last date of the week are significant. 

On  27 May 1967, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for First Nations peoples and recognise them in the Census.

On June 3 1992, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision to name the First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands. 

To celebrate this week, on Tuesday 31 May there will be a bottom half or accessory free dress day.  So bring a gold coin and put on some red, yellow or black.  At lunchtime there will be face painting in front of the Theatre, if you want to show your support for your indigenous peers.  

All donations will go to The Healing Foundation which supports stolen generation survivors, families and communities. 

Also make sure to keep an eye on Compass for other activities that will be going on, including a colouring competition. 

Be Brave, Make Change.

Alyshah Beers and Alannah Bomford

Face and Hand Painting

At lunchtime on Tuesday 31 May, Alannah Bomford, Pheobe Taylor and Sharliya Bell encouraged our students to “be brave” and did a fantastic job painting faces and hands in recognition of Reconciliation Week. It was excellent to see so many students showing their support for their Koori peers.

Lilydale High School was also provided with 20 Community Tickets from the AFL, for our students and their families to attend the AFL’s Dreamtime at the G match. We hope that all who attended had a great time!

Leah Shields  

Head of Humanities