Nagle Catholic College has officially launched a dedicated Welcome to Country video, marking a heartfelt and enduring expression of the Bairnsdale school’s deep respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land on which it stands.
The resource was unveiled this week to coincide with National Reconciliation Week, which in 2026 is anchored by the national theme ‘All In’.
Filmed on and around the Nagle campus, the video features the college’s Aboriginal students alongside respected local community member and parent, Cath Thomas. Together, they deliver a deeply meaningful Welcome to Country that connects the modern school grounds to the living culture, history, and spirit of the region’s First Peoples.
Nagle Catholic College principal, Doug Doherty, said the video represents the school’s core values of inclusivity, safety, and cultural pride.
“This Welcome to Country video will inspire current and new families to engage in a Catholic education at Nagle Catholic College, a place where all children can be safe, happy and successful,” Mr Doherty said.
“We hope to inspire our First Nations students to be proud and active with their culture.”
The video is set to become a staple at future school assemblies, events, and formal meetings, ensuring that an Acknowledgement of Country and active respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples remains a highly visible, consistent part of daily life at Nagle.
Students involved in the production expressed an immense sense of pride regarding their participation.
“We feel proud to have been involved in the video. It makes us feel responsible for the land. It shows Aboriginal youth caring about and expressing culture,” the students said in a joint statement.
“The video also shows the whole school being respectful of our culture and walking with purpose. It helps us feel supported.”
The project reflects Nagle’s ongoing, practical journey of Reconciliation, which is grounded in the Catholic social justice tradition of honouring the dignity of every individual and culture. The college formally acknowledges the Gunaikurnai people as the Traditional Custodians of the land, paying respect to Elders past and present.
College leadership extended its sincere gratitude to Cath Thomas, as well as Indigenous Liaisons Tania Holmes and Toni Collins, for their generosity, wisdom, and cultural guidance throughout production.
Praise was also reserved for the school’s Koorie Education team, who undertook extensive consultation with families and the broader community to ensure local students had a safe, powerful, and proud voice in shaping the final resource.
