Opening our new Indigenous Garden Space 

NAIDOC Week 2021 Heal Country

Reservoir High School celebrated NAIDOC 2021 by opening our new in Indigenous Garden Space.  Our Aboriginal students worked hard through Term two to design the garden and banded together with the team from Bunnings to construct the garden.  Elder Jim Berg suggested the name Moodji (friend) for the garden and we celebrated the grand opening with an Acknowledgement of Country and Smoking Ceremony performed Elder Dave Wandin.  We shared this event with many families and special friends of Reservoir High School. Aunty Kylie attended and spoke on behalf of her husband Uncle Jim Berg who was unable to attend due to Koorie Court responsibilities. Aunty spoke of the love that they both shared for the school and its commitment to Aboriginal students, culture and families.  3KnD the local Aboriginal radio station attended and broadcasted the event.

Eboney Jackson - Indigenous garden report 

This Term Reservoir High had the opening of the first Indigenous garden which welcomed many guests. The garden which has been planned by many of the Indigenous students from years 7-11 with the immense help of Michele Riali, who organised the grants, meetings and proceedings of the garden. 

We were welcomed onto country with a smoking ceremony led by elder Dave Wandin, a proud Wurundjeri man who shared the stories of his land and the responsibilities we have today to help maintain the lands we live on. He spoke about the importance of healing and sharing with those around us. We had a range of guests such as the amazing staff of Bunnings who donated their time and resources to help build the garden, the staff from Coles who has become a sponsor of our school, Cathy Austin from the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Jackie Mansourian and Feriyal Gladious from City of Darebin, Dr Will Sullivan and Jordan Carter from RMIT, Jeanette Tapou from VACCA, Canisha from Weenthunga and Alina Waitaire from Banyule Council. The ceremony was also broadcasted by the deadly people at 3Knd, an Indigenous radio station. We also had the honour of having Kylie Berg, Jim Berg’s wife who stepped in for Jim when he had to attend his important responsibilities at the Koori Court. We were also accompanied by the families of the students and other staff members. 

I had the pleasure of meeting almost all the guests who expressed their enjoyment in Reservoir Highs recognition of Indigenous culture and education. We heard speeches from students such as myself and others who shared the importance of the garden and what it means to have a shared space to enjoy with all our friends. We hope to see more attributes and involvement in having all Indigenous people recognised and hopefully have all of Reservoir High to be involved in a rich and inclusive culture us Indigenous people have.

Reservoir High has come a long way in the progress of it’s Indigenous people and still has a long journey ahead. 

We would like to thank the following supporters for their commitment to the garden space:

Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

Department of Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Community Development Northern Metro Local Aboriginal Network. 

Bunnings Thomastown

Your Community Health

VACCA

City of Darebin

Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR)

Koorin Edwards (ex student of RHS) met with the students and had planned on developing an artistic component of the garden however this was impacted by covid and remote learning.