FIRE Carriers
Ngata (hello)
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing FIRE Carriers for their outstanding efforts this year in their role. Sara, Connor, Lucas and Maggie have worked hard throughout the year, attending FIRE Carrier meetings, writing interesting and informative articles for the newsletter and have been involved in planning events for the OLA community. Thank you for your enthusiasm and energy and we wish you all the best in your leadership roles in Grade Six.
Wurruk (regards)
Fiona Lee & Gen O’Meara
Sara
Being a FIRE Carrier in 2022 has been an honour. Being a FIRE Carrier taught me a lot about Indigenous culture. The FIRE Carrier meetings were always interesting and I had so much fun planning events. My favourite event was when the FIRE Carriers and Mrs Lee led National Reconciliation Week. I loved the Indigenous Walk around the hall. We set up lunch clubs for the week and put in special didgeridoo meditation. I am really looking forward to the FIRE Carrier Commissioning Ceremony in 2023.
Lucas
I have enjoyed my time being a fire carrier because I’ve been able to work with the other fire carriers to help the school community better understand Aboriginal culture. I especially enjoyed preparing and leading reconciliation week activities. I have also enjoyed learning about my family Aboriginal history, so it has also been a chance for me to learn too.
Connor
I am very grateful to have been a Fire Carrier for OLA this year. I have really enjoyed working with Mrs Lee and the OLA teachers and with Sara, Lucas and Maggie, to learn and share lots of new things about the Boon Wurrung people and the First Nations people of Australia.
My favourite activity for the year was the National Reconciliation Week activities. I had fun planning and getting the 12 activities ready for the OLA classes throughout the week. I hope we can all keep learning new things and respecting the culture of our First Nations people, who have lived and looked after the land and animals for over 40,000 years! The theme for National Reconciliation Week this year was “Be Brave. Make Change” and I hope we can all try to have courage and work towards reconciliation for the First Nations people of Australia.
Maggie
As a FIRE carrier I really enjoyed leading the activities and teaching and learning about the aboriginal culture. It was fun when we got to join in with the preps when learning about the land and sacred songs. One of my favorite activities was when we led a walk around the school hall with all the students and teachers as part of Reconciliation Week where everyone learnt about the aboriginal culture.I really enjoyed being a FIRE Carrier in 2022. It was fun and interesting learning about the meanings and beliefs in the aboriginal culture.
Do you want to learn more about our amazing First Nations people of Australia?!
Have a look at the website of the Australian Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, which has lots of information to explore about education, collections and research. https://aiatsis.gov.au/
Do you want to visit a cultural centre?!
Have a look at the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre in Victoria, in the Grampians National Park, on Gariwerd country. You can learn about connection to country, camp nearby, go on bushwalks and try the bush tucker at the café.
Did you know about the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre?
The centre celebrates the artwork, history, artefacts and lots more at Melbourne Museum!
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/
The website has lots of information too, including this article about the Eastern Kulin Nation people, who recognize seven seasons. November is known as the Buath Gurru Grass Flowering Season!
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/about-us/eastern-kulin-seasonal-calendar/
By Connor W