On Wednesday, 21 August, Lumen Christi Catholic College celebrated Aboriginal culture at their ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth’ Cultural Day Festival. The school welcomed Elders, community members and representatives from the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), Campbell Page, Eden Marine High School and Bega High School.

The College community participated in a smoking ceremony as well as other cultural activities including boomerang painting, tasting traditional damper such as johnnycake, dance and didgeridoo demonstrations.

Guest speakers addressed the community at a whole of school gathering where a large school mural was revealed. The mural was designed by Year 12 student, Hayleigh Lonesborough and represented the four school houses. It was painted by the College’s Aboriginal students and two student representatives from each Pastoral Care class.

Award recipients of the Lumen Christi Cultural Competition were also announced at the gathering, with nominations including artworks, films, songs and interviews. The three winners received an award of $250 for their creativity in promoting Reconciliation.

The Junior Prize was awarded to Skyla Roberts and Lilly Mannell, for their film called Reconciliation. George Schweitzer, Finley Cooke and Rory Munt won the Senior Prize for their song The Chordroys and Anna Spoljaric received an award for her artwork, Uniting Paths, that incorporated symbolism from both Western and Aboriginal cultures.