National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about the shared histories, cultures and achievements of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It encourages people to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Students across the Archdiocese participated in a number of different activities centred around this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme:

‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’.

At St Mary’s War Memorial School, West Wyalong, students were encouraged to reflect on and remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families and homes. They made ‘Sorry’ flowers and placed them in the school garden. Each class painted Aboriginal animal totems that now hang in each of their classrooms.

Local Aboriginal artist, Jackie Kennedy, from Sariel Art, visited St Vincent’s Primary School, Aranda, to hold an art workshop and teach students about the importance of a totem animal. During the workshop, students had the opportunity to paint their own totem animal. Year 6 leaders organised games of buroinjin on the school oval. Buroinjin is a running and passing ball game that is played by the Kabi Kabi people of south Queensland. While traditionally the ball was made from kangaroo skin, sewn with tendons and stuffed with grass, the students played with a soccer ball.

The school community at Carroll College, Broulee, came together to acknowledge National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week. In their Pastoral Care groups, students and staff created ‘Sorry’ hands with handwritten messages outlining their individual commitment towards Reconciliation in Australia. As the hands were planted into the ground, students were encouraged to reflect on their connection to Country in which the school is built upon.

Aboriginal students at St John Paul II College, Nicholls, participated in a guided cultural history tour of Reconciliation Place in Canberra. They spent time at the National Portrait Gallery, where they viewed portraits of significant Aboriginal Australians. Annie Daley, Aboriginal Contact Teacher, said it was an inspiring and educational way to end the College’s Reconciliation activities.