Reconciliation Week

To mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, Local Elder, Uncle Colin, conducted a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country at lunch time today and we heard from Indigenous student, Faith, about indigenous culture.

Here is Faith's speech:

I am a year 12 student and a proud indigenous student here at Wantirna College. National Reconciliation 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. 

Reconciliation is about establishing and maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in this country. Reconciliation requires the Australian community to recognise and respect the First Peoples of this land, to acknowledge the past injustices, and the ongoing inequalities, experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples since colonisation, and to commit to working towards a more equal and respectful future. 

I feel that it is an important way for everyone to connect to our land and its rich culture and history, to listen to stories and songs and learn about our past. I feel it is important for not only indigenous people past, present, and emerging, but also for every person who lives on our land. I pay my respects and thank everyone for being here and listening to my speech. Thank You.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is Be a Voice for Generations, encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives; where we live, work, and socialise. It’s an opportunity for all of us to get involved in reconciliation and think more deeply about our country's identity and culture.

On Tuesday, in the spirit of reconciliation and to keep a theme of Reconciliation Week in focus, staff dressed in the colours of the Aboriginal Flag.  We also held other activities with students an staff throughout the week, including a Poetry/Short Writing Competition. Congratulations to the winners of the Competition: Nathan Bromfield (Yr 11) and Cindy Huang (Yr 7).