Be a voice for generations
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
This year’s theme - Be a voice for generations, challenges all of us to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives.
During the week, Senior School students from both the St Kilda Road and Glen Waverley campuses attended Reconciliation Victoria’s inaugural ‘National Reconciliation Week Breakfast’, held on Wurundjeri Country at The Centre, Ivanhoe.
Students met Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder, Uncle Andrew Gardiner, who spoke about the First People’s Assembly, the path to constitutional change and the challenge of obtaining a double majority in a referendum. He also discussed his work at the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc (VACCHO) and the problems of the Northern Territory Intervention.
Reflecting on the Reconciliation Week theme, he asked everyone a simple question: ‘What are you going to do?’ For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, he encouraged us to act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.
Read how each of our campuses acknowledged this important week:
Elsternwick Campus
The Elsternwick Campus celebrated Reconciliation Week at both Junior and Middle School assemblies, inviting all to come together for a good purpose. Students heard a story about Bunjil, the eagle and Kulin creator being, with part of the message being that reconciliation includes listening to the knowledge of Aboriginal people and trying to understand what it means to live on this country.
Reverend Peter Rivett explored the meaning of what reconciliation is and the significance of saying sorry, with students contributing their voices too. With a sense of pride and appreciation, staff and students sang, ‘We Are Australian’ followed by ‘All of Us Are One.’
As a community, we wore yellow to show our support for Children’s Ground. This organisation takes a unique approach to closing the gap, starting with educating Aboriginal children on country. Songs, art, language and culture are all taught on the country of their ancestors, with Elders involved in leading the community. Children’s Ground seeks to keep the stories and culture alive, with wisdom and knowledge passed on and preserved for the benefit of future generations. To raise funds to support Children’s Ground, students from Elsternwick donated books and organised a book sale.
Glen Waverley Campus
National Reconciliation Week presented another opportunity for Glen Waverley students to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. Our students are passionate advocates for reconciliation and have embraced these opportunities wholeheartedly. Be it through craftivism in Year 6; poster-making in Year 7; powerful discussions with Yorta Yorta man and musician, Scott Darlow in Years 8 and 9; or listening to an honest and open panel discussion in the Senior School assembly, all students have been encouraged to reflect upon how they can contribute to reconciliation in Australia moving forward.
Scott Darlow presented students with a method of engaging with reconciliation in the form of his FLUTE acronym. If we all commit to approaching others with a lens of Forgiveness, Love, Understanding, Tolerance and Empathy, we will truly see reconciliation as a pathway forward and create a better Australia for everyone.
Wesmob Prefect, Jen Taylor, shared the following message with Senior School students: ‘For non-indigenous Australians, a lack of understanding and knowledge often acts as a barrier to supporting First Nations movements. However, simply not understanding, or even misunderstanding, a concept is not a reason to undermine or degrade practices or culture. It is important to remember that reconciliation is not just a week on our calendar, but an ongoing process and a goal we all must continue to strive towards in our lives.’
St Kilda Road Campus
The dates of Reconciliation Week commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. It is preceded by National Sorry Day (26 May), which reminds us of the devastating impact of assimilation policies adopted by governments across Australia during the twentieth century, which resulted in the forced removal of children from Aboriginal families; the generational impact of which continues to be felt today.
The theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ is being explored by our students and staff in different ways. The Year 8 cohort, led by Wesmob and Senior School student prefects, are engaging in research toward a truth-telling exhibition; Year 9 students will be hearing from members of the recent induction to Yiramalay; Year 11 students from the International Relations Society are exploring what it means to stand opposed to racism, inequity and injustice and with the pending referendum later this year, the Year 12 cohort will be considering how exercising voice can be about using your vote to create a better and more just Australia.
We are also looking forward to a visit by Boon Wurrung Elder, N’Arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs who will speak at our final Senior School assembly later this term.
