Now more than ever is the theme of Reconciliation Week 2024 and McAuley College has reinforced this to their students.
Addressing a number of issues around reconciliation, the school recently adopted their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)and has had two immersion visits to the Indigenous community of Cherburg – one for staff and one for students.
For the first time, the McAuley College assembly spoke to the reconciliation theme, inviting Mununjali Elders Geraldine Page, Janis Page and Dolores Paulson to address students.
Aunty Janis performed the smoking ceremony as students and staff entered the assembly.
Traditionally the smoking gives permission to come onto Country and is a welcoming ceremony.
“The rest of the smoking is about healing and cleansing,” she said.
Aunty Dolores performed the Welcome to Country and Aunty Geraldine said she was impressed with the heartfelt speeches by students.
“They really did well. To be a part of the RAP, especially with the students understanding what it is all about, is really important,” she said.
Principal Jason Pacey said teachers Tess McEvoy and Zac Cunningham have assisted students in driving the Reconciliation Action Plan forward.
“It is really about raising awareness and taking action,” he said.
“One of the most powerful things that has come out of this has been our partnership with the Aunties.”
“When they first came out they were very clear they wanted it to be authentic, they didn’t want it to be a box ticking exercise and we promised them it wouldn’t be.”
At the assembly, Jason said the theme of Reconciliation Week means we need to continue to advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples and acknowledge and move forward by accepting the past.
Activities during the week include an arts project inspired by the work of Mununjali artist Derek Fogarty, environmental work and further discussions by students.
The assembly ended with prayers read by students to do better than their ancestors, to confront the history honestly and embrace reconciliation into the future.
