This year’s NAIDOC Week was a tremendous success, centred around the theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” This theme honours the achievements of the past while looking forward to the bright future led by young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
We kicked off the week with a NAIDOC Week assembly and community morning tea, featuring guest speakers, students from Moruya High School, Anna C and Tiarnah N, along with a performance by our Ochre Aboriginal dancers. Achievement Awards were presented to Aboriginal students and dhurga students. Jack Redden received the Deadly Award for his outstanding leadership and ability to engage his peers and staff, while Aunty Lisa Rowley, Moruya High School’s AEO, was awarded the Community Award for her commitment to supporting Aboriginal students and fostering connections. All personifying this year’s NAIDOC theme.
On Tuesday, the annual Chalk Art competition at Riverside Park showcased fierce creativity. Thank you to Linda Langton, Director Education Leadership Batemans Bay Network, for taking on the hard task of judge. A big congratulations to 3/4 Koalas for taking 1st place, followed by 4 Bandicoots in 2nd and baba (Stingrays) in 3rd.
Wednesday featured an engaging talk by Mrs. Boyenga about the mural that has graced our hall for 28 years, covering Aboriginal significant sites, Dreaming stories, and local bush tucker. Students and staff learnt a lot about Aboriginal history and culture in the local area. We are in the process of looking into preservation of the mural and recording Mrs Boyenga so that that stories and mural can be enjoyed for years to come. This National NAIDOC Week Activity is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Thursday was a highlight for students with the popular johnny cake-making activity, thanks to the efforts of the Aboriginal Student Voice for assisting with this activity.
In Kitchen Garden, Echidnas and Koalas utilised bush tucker to make delicious cuisine, of lemon myrtle madeleines, roasted beetroot and pigface salad, warragal greens and feta pie and Torres Strait Islander fried scones. Yummmm!!!! Thanks, Tobie, for such an inspiring and tasty menu!
A heartfelt thank you to all staff, Aboriginal Student Voice members and students for their support in making NAIDOC Week a success. Thank you as well to the Eurobodalla Shire Council for their support.
On August 4th, I was honoured to receive the Public Education Award Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service at a ceremony at Sydney Town Hall. This event celebrated the remarkable contributions of students, teachers, and staff in public education, with performances showcasing student talent and a speech from Ruby Stafford, the first rural high school student as Chairperson of the Minister’s Student Voice. It was a wonderful celebration of public education.
walawaani njindiwan
Kylie Parsons (AEO)
