Thursday, 28 March 2024
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Sharing histories, cultures and achievements

Sharing histories, cultures and achievements

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) concludes today, and while it finishes a week of learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, fostering positive race relations, reconciliation is something that should be ongoing until everyone can walk side by side with understanding. And that is just what is being instilled into the minds of students at Bairnsdale West Primary School.

The school hosted a moving and memorable assembly last Friday, welcoming to its packed Nova Hall Aboriginal elders, parents, community leaders and volunteers, as well as students from schools around the district.

The school’s talented choir welcomed guests and performed a number of times through the morning.

Well respected koorie engagement support officer, Aunty Dottie Moffatt, and student, Ciara Stewart, provided a warm Welcome to Country.

Aunty Dottie returned to the stage to speak about her history, that of her family and changes over the years, prep teacher, Nerrida Burns, also speaking to the theme of this year’s NRW - Grounded in truth: Walk together with courage.

GEGAC chief executive officer, Jamie Williamson, and GLaWAC acting CEO, Grattan Mullett Snr, spoke about the stories of the past that need to be heard and taught, both applauding the school for the opportunities it is providing its students and the wider community.

Gunai/Monero Ngarigo community member, Aunty Dr Doris Paton, was the morning’s guest speaker, joined by senior school students in a presentation they had all worked hard on.

School principal, Doug Vickers, explained how the school’s NRW assemblies had grown over the years, and was inspired by the respect shown by community members attending this year and the students who sat, well-behaved and respectfully, through the presentations and speeches.

PICTURED: Guest speaker, Gunai/Monero Ngarigo community member, Dr Doris Paton (back, second from right), with senior students, Ben Rutherford, Jarrell Harrison-Hood, Decland Cooper, Lyzell Gadd and Jhye Stewart, who joined her in her presentation, at Bairnsdale West Primary School’s reconciliation assembly last Friday.


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