EMC's 3RD ANNUAL KOORIE CHRISTMAS

Below is the speech Jenaya Bartlett (Year 10) and Alexandra Humphrey (Year 9) shared with everyone in attendance. Thanks to Jenaya, Marley and Alex for putting together a great event. We had over 35 students in attendance, some alumni and community guests, and even two of our 2022 Year 7s!

Thank you all for coming to the 3rd annual Koorie Christmas. My name is Jenaya and I am a Wiradjuri woman.

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather today, the Bunurong people. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land. This is Bunurong Country. I am lucky enough to learn and live on this Country, I want to thank the Bunurong people for allowing us all to do this. I want to thank their Ancestors for protecting us, and I want to thank my own Ancestors for guiding and protecting me. I would also like to acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.

EMC is lucky to have mobs represented from all over Australia, from my own mob Wiradjuri to Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba, and Butchulla, and Yuin, Taungurung, and Palawa. I would also like to acknowledge that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know who your people are and where your Country is yet. The past 233 years haven’t been easy for Aboriginal people. But now we are being taught that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know everything. You can grow that connection to your culture, and there’s people who can support you to do that.

My name is Alex, and my family are part of the Murri Warri Ngemba mob. We thought this year was going to be easier than 2020, and while it didn’t quite go to plan, we still managed to achieve a lot.

Last year we saw 8 Koorie students graduate, including Maddi becoming DUX. We kicked off the year with an excursion with Uncle Lionel, and 2 Year 11 students were recipients of Marrung Scholarships. We completed a film project with Nairm Marr Djambana and local Elders and community members. We designed the EMC Meeting Place with Lionel, and planted all 90 of these plants ourselves. We snuck in a student led flag raising ceremony for National Reconciliation Week, and a smoking ceremony. We almost went on some excursions with the local Gathering Places. We met with the Commission for Children and Young People to give our voice on cultural safety. We participated in the Point and Be Proud pilot project with Nathan Lovett Murray and St Kilda Football Club. We were longlisted for the Narragunnawali awards, being selected as one of the top 10 schools in Australia with a Reconciliation Action Plan for our work driving reconciliation in education. We will celebrate 4 Koorie students graduating, and 5 more joining us as Year 7s.

It’s a lot to be proud of. And there’s a lot to look forward to in 2022. However, there’s a few thank yous that need to be shared to wrap up 2021.

Firstly, to our KESOs, who have supported us every single time we needed it. Thank you Uncle Eric and Uncle Alan for all you have done, and now thank you to Uncle Brian for all you will do. EMC owes you more gratitude than we could ever express.

Thank you to Mr Harper (an apology for the event), Damien and Luke for all your help with the Indigenous Garden. We couldn’t have done it without you.

To our allies and advocates in the community. To Nathan Lovett Murray (an apology for the event), who took a chance on us with the program he’s poured his heart and soul into for the last 3 years. To Jeremy Nikora, for always finding ways to give EMC kids opportunities beyond what others might think we’re capable of. We thank you both for the time you give us, to help us grow.

To Miss Paxton, who is leaving us for a little bit. While we’re so exciting to meet your baby, we will miss you. You have been so open and honest with your journey as an Aboriginal person, and helped us feel normal in our journeys. Thank you for being someone to look up to.

To Mrs Curson, who retires at the end of this year. You have been part of the EMC Koorie story for as long as you’ve been here. A lot of us wouldn’t know that things that happen today that we don’t think twice about, might not be a reality without something you have done before now. Thank you for everything you have done to support our past, current and future Koorie students.

At EMC, we want all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids and our families to feel seen, and heard; and to feel like we can celebrate our culture and history. Being safe to do this at school is something that is important to us.

Koorie Christmas has become part of our year that we can look forward to. When we celebrate together, we are working to build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Thank you all for being part of celebrating and supporting the Koorie students and community at EMC.

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