The Long Walk

Clive G-K
Miss B & Mia N
Clive G-K
Miss B & Mia N

The Long Walk 

 

On Tuesday May 31st, some of us got to attend a special event at Aquinas College.

 

Each year the College hosts a version of The Long Walk.  

The Long Walk is a charity inspired by Michael Long's walk to Canberra to get the lives of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people back on the national agenda.  

You may know Michael Long, he wore number 13 for Essendon Football Club for many years.  During the Dreamtime at the ‘G' match, you may have seen other people walk into the MCG with Michael, also representing The Long Walk.  

 

The School Captains, Vice Captains, and Ricky, Clive and Mia represented our school with Miss Broughan this year.  There were students from many other schools in the area present.  

 

Michael Long’s daughter, Michaela, was there and another one-time Essendon player, Courtenay Dempsey, was a guest speaker.  He is one of The Long Walk Ambassadors, who meet with students and teachers across Victoria to talk about reconciliation and being an ally for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country.  Courtenay talked about the importance of learning about each other and understanding why culture is so important.  He described the growth in support from Australian people he has seen over the years since Michael Long first walked to Canberra to meet with then Prime Minister, John Howard, in 2004.  Courtenay also talked about how the ‘little things’ all add up to make a difference, and that students and teachers can help by recognising and celebrating important dates for Indigenous Australians.  The more we share and talk about these things, the better we understand each other.  Finally, he talked about how we can all work together for a better future for all Australians, and that is something that all of us at Great Ryrie Primary School can work towards every single day.  Listen, learn, ask questions and try to understand each other.  Celebrate your culture and what is special to you!

 

26th May was National Sorry Day

27th May – 3rd June is National Reconciliation Week 

3rd June is Mabo Day, the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Mabo Decision where the High Court recognised that Indigenous people were living here before European settlement 

3rd – 10th July is NADIOC Week, celebrating Indigenous culture and achievements

 

We will keep you updated throughout the year about other significant dates and celebrations!