On Wednesday, we marked the commencement of NAIDOC Week. This weekend, around Australia, communities will be celebrating the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We have over 50 Aboriginal students in our school community of whom we are very proud. Annually, we celebrate NAIDOC as a key event in the ongoing path to Reconciliation. I wish to acknowledge the generous and gracious presence of Aunty Cheryl Mundy and É«ÇéÖ±²¥ parent, dear friend and mentor to our College, Angela Triffett.
She spoke with passion and commitment to our students. Angela is a wonderful role model to all students in our community – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.
Mrs McMahon writes also in our newsletter :
On Wednesday, we had our annual NAIDOC Assembly, The theme this year was Voice, Treaty, Truth. We were privileged to have three of our proud Aboriginal students acknowledge country in language. Thank you to Declan Triffitt Haney, Isabella Triffitt Haney and Jolie Everett.
A special thank you also to Angela Triffit, mother of Declan and Isabella, who gave a moving and deeply personal speech and to Aunty Cheryl Mundy for using her beautiful voice to enhance the celebration.
Many of our Aboriginal students were involved in helping in our celebration. I wish to thank them for their participation and commitment to making this a special event. Also thank you to the Year 5/6 choir and Mrs Denholm for bringing our assembly to a close. I would like to acknowledge our Aboriginal students and their families, whose culture enriches this land and our college community.
You can see photos from the NAIDOC Assembly on our gallery: NAIDOC Assembly.
Aboriginal Artwork
The beautiful artwork that was created by local Aboriginal artist Reuben Oates in collaboration with many of our Aboriginal students from across Years Prep to Year 10 has been completed.
This piece was only completed on Monday and depicts the beauty of kuanyi, of which were are privileged to be at the foot. The artwork also features some of the animals which are native to Tasmania and Australia. The animals and landscape play an important part in the story telling and culture of the Aboriginal people.
This artwork well be officially unveiled next term and displayed in a location central to the whole college. We will write more about the artwork and it's production next term.
Mrs Alicia McMahon - Director of Faith & Mission K-10