First Nations Archives - Ģ��Ƶ

Ģ��Ƶ’s Reconciliation Action Plan

Alicia Quarrell — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 03:56:25 +0000

On 26 May 2026, which marks the date of National Sorry Day, our students held a very special assembly for Reconciliation Week. During this assembly, the students shared and reflected on key concepts such as the significance of Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country, Reconciliation, Fire carriers and the 2026 theme: ALL IN.

Notably, Ģ��Ƶ was proud to announce the launch of Ģ��Ƶ’s Reconciliation Action Plan – our RAP. A RAP is more than just a document, it’s a plan that helps our College take practical steps towards reconciliation, building respect, understanding and strong relationships between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. At Ģ��Ƶ, our vision is shaped by who we are. As a Kildare Ministries school, we are called towards Living Justice and Living Peace and to work towards respectful relationships and an equitable future for all. Our RAP challenges us to seek and accept the truth and to listen to the voices of the past, and present who continue to call for change.

Our RAP wasn’t written by just one person. It was developed through consultation and collaboration across our community. This included listening to and working with First Nations families, students and staff, whose voices and perspectives are central to this plan. Importantly, our RAP was refined and approved by Reconciliation Australia’s Narragunnawali program. This ensures that our plan is not only meaningful for our school, but also aligned with national standards for reconciliation in education. Therefore, our RAP is not just words on a page; it is a shared commitment, built through listening, learning and working together.

Thank you to all the students and staff who made this assembly a success. And thank you to all who were involved in the development of Ģ��Ƶ’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

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Celebrating excellence: Talarah honoured at Djilang First Nations Women of the Year Awards

Alicia Quarrell — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:10:04 +0000

Talarah and Aunty May honoured at Djilang First Nations Women of the Year Awards

The Ģ��Ƶ community is proud to celebrate Year 11 SRC Leader Talarah, who was recently recognised at the Djilang First Nations Young Women of the Year Awards, held on Friday 6 March as part of International Women’s Week.

The event forms part of the broader International Women’s Day Djilang First Nations Awards, an annual celebration honouring the leadership, achievements, and cultural strength of First Nations women in our region. The 2026 event was hosted on Wathaurong Country at the Murran Hub, Geelong. Nominations were open to acknowledge outstanding First Nations women across multiple generations.

At the event Talarah was awarded the First Nations Young Women Generational Legacy in Education Award, a recognition that celebrates young women who are not only thriving academically but also paving the way for others. Talarah was nominated for her leadership, community commitment and her dedication to strengthening education pathways for First Nations students.

What made the night truly remarkable was that Talarah received her award alongside her Nan, Aunty May Owen, who was honoured as Elder of the Year. These two awards celebrated multiple generations of women from the same family, each contributing to the embracing of culture, education and community.

Ģ��Ƶ extends its warmest congratulations to Talarah and Aunty May. Your achievements inspire us and remind us of the importance of cultural pride and community leadership.

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ACU’s Jim-baa-yer Indigenous Higher Education Unit

Alicia Quarrell — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 03:55:05 +0000

Last Wednesday, three Ģ��Ƶ students were invited to take part in a special cultural yarning and workshop day hosted by the Jim-baa-yer Indigenous Higher Education Unit at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) on Wurundjeri Country in Fitzroy. The event brought together First Nations students from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The day was designed and facilitated by Aboriginal educators and included cultural experiences led by Weenthunga Health Network. Students were welcomed into a culturally safe space where they shared ideas and exchanged ideas around cultural support for young people in secondary schools.

Staff from Jim-baa-yer and ACU also shared information about pathways for First Nations students to enter university, along with the academic, cultural, and wellbeing supports offered once enrolled.

The workshop brought together approximately 25 students from several MACS schools and Ģ��Ƶ’s students were fantastic ambassadors for our school.

Ģ��Ƶ extends our sincere thanks to ACU, the Jim-baa-yer Indigenous Higher Education Unit, and MACS for their generosity and leadership.

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Ģ��Ƶ attends Lilardia Artwork Launch

Alicia Quarrell — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:21:30 +0000

Ģ��Ƶ had the privilege of attending the launch of the Lilardia artwork at Lilardia Park in Footscray, including our Head of music Ms Marcia Howard, Learning support officer Mikaylee and our Fire Carrier Leader Tilly from Year 11. The event brought together community members and the family of Aunty Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker to honour her extraordinary legacy as a leader, storyteller, and advocate for justice.

At the launch we learned more about Aunty Margaret’s remarkable life and how her words (now painted prominently across the new mural) continue to speak strongly against racism and inspire courage and compassion today.

Ms Howard had previously written the song “Sorry” in response to Aunty Margaret’s story and the experiences of the Stolen Generations. This connection helped deepen our understanding of the significance of the artwork and the stories behind it.

The event was a meaningful opportunity for Tilly to witness Aunty Margaret’s family celebrating her life, the re‑publication of her book If Everyone Cared Enough, and the powerful ways her story continues to be told through art, music, and community.

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Anti Racism Commitment

Bronte Stead — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:47:55 +0000

On Tuesday this week, Ģ��Ƶ confirmed its commitment to anti-racism by signing a kangaroo skin in conjunction with the Barwon Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (Barwon LAECG).

Two of Barwon LAECG’s co-chairs Lily Edwards and former Ģ��Ƶ student Bri Anna Hayes, visited the College to speak with students about the impact of racism and the importance of having strategies and procedures in schools. Barwon LAECG recently released their anti-racism statement, which calls for an end to racial injustice. The statement is burnt into a kangaroo skin and was signed on behalf of Ģ��Ƶ by Principal Luci Quinn.

Barwon LAECG is inviting schools, education institutions and early learning center’s to officially sign the Barwon anti-racism statement as a commitment to standing boldly and proactively against racism.

Chris Scanlan
Mission and Identity Team: First Nations Reconciliation Leader

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Santa Teresa Immersion 2025

Bronte Stead — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 05:09:31 +0000

From the August 23 to 29, eight Year 10 students had the privilege of travelling to the community of Santa Teresa on Arrente country for an immersion experience. Although the Northern Territory isn’t far from home, the trip gave us a deeper appreciation for the opportunities we have in Geelong and opened our eyes to the differences in which fellow Australians live. Indigenous culture is something that we celebrate here at Ģ��Ƶ but to live in a community where everyone is so connected to the land changed our lives!

Throughout the week we took part in three main volunteering activities. At the school, we helped in the canteen serving breakfast and worked in classrooms where we had an incredible time interacting with the energetic and bubbly students. At the aged care centre, we created breakfast packs, helped with making lunches for the older residents and had the chance to drive around town delivering them, giving us the chance to both learn about our surroundings but also the residents who live there. At the Spirituality Centre, we spent time with elders, shared meals, admired their art and even took part in a healing ceremony that bid us farewell from our time in Santa Teresa.

When we weren’t volunteering, we bonded with the local students through basketball at the local club and getting highly competitive in their footy clinic. We got to make cookies, garden and learn with the students of the Ltyentye Apurte Catholic Primary School.

Some of the most special moments to us however weren’t just in loud footy matches or talkative classrooms but they were the quiet ones. When we watched the sun set not once but twice from beautiful views or waited for the sun to rise on what was our final day in Santa Teresa. Sitting under the endless sky filled with stars, spotting the Milky Way and learning constellations. Eating dinner and roasting marshmallows in the middle of the bush surrounded by endless landscapes. Listening to the silence of country, and reflecting together as a group on our learning and understanding after each day.

This immersion left a lasting mark on all of us. Many tears were shed upon our departure, but it has only made us more sure that we will be back to visit the beautiful community again. We are grateful to Ms Taylor, Ms Broekman and Mr Scanlan for their guidance and support for us throughout the trip. We are so indebted to Marcus, Kellie, Olivia and Phoebe who were the first ones to greet us when we arrived and treated us with kindness and hospitality. We will never forget the Santa Teresa community for welcoming us with generosity and spirit and though we were devastated to leave, we hope to keep strengthening the partnership between Ģ��Ƶ and the Santa Teresa community for many years to come.

Talarah O, Year 10

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Walk for Truth

Bronte Stead — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:47:02 +0000

Ģ��Ƶ students participate in Walk for Truth along Geelong Waterfront

On Thursday 12 June, Ģ��Ƶ students from the Tjatjarrang group participated in the Walk for Truth along the Geelong waterfront. This walk is part of a significant journey that began on Gunditjmara Country in Portland and is set to conclude at Parliament House in East Melbourne on Wednesday, 18 June.

The Walk for Truth is a powerful initiative by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s first formal truth-telling process.

The walk serves as a means to build shared understanding by discussing our history and walking together to transform our future—for First Peoples and all Victorians.

Ģ��Ƶ students demonstrated their commitment to reconciliation and learning by joining this meaningful event and engaging with the community.

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First Nations Camp

Bronte Stead — Fri, 17 May 2024 01:06:03 +0000

Earlier this week five of our students attended a Kildare Ministries First Nations immersion in Echuca over two nights. The students took part in traditional basket weaving activities with Aunty Denise and Aunty Donna, whilst hearing from these leaders about First Nations culture and their own relationship to country. A trip to the Barmah National Park was also a highlight with guides showing the students artefacts from the Yorta Yorta people and exploring the land. Our students were fully immersed in their learning experiences too through additional activities such as liturgy, art and mediation. Thanks to Ms Gastin and Ms Vesey who attended the immersion in Echuca, and to Kildare Ministries for providing the experience!

Michael McCallum
First Nations Leader

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‘Young Luv’ First Nations Workshop

Bronte Stead — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 02:21:21 +0000

On Wednesday 17 April our Tjatjarrang Group, comprising our First Nations students, attended the “Young Luv” workshop run by Courtney Ugle. The workshop was held at Murran Geelong. The workshop covered topics that included healthy and respectful relationships, safe behaviours and empowering young women to make their own safe decisions. It also covered the alarming statistics of domestic violence and women. Courtney created a safe space for students to discuss and listen to advise. The Tjatjarrang students were engaged and contributed to all of the activities.

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First Nations Archives - Ģ����Ƶ

Ģ����Ƶ’s Reconciliation Action Plan