This year Reconciliation Day celebrations were hosted by Lakes Entrance Primary School and the day was attended by students and teachers from St Brendan’s Primary School, Lakes Entrance Secondary College and Toorloo Arm Primary School.
“The schools took part in a welcoming ceremony, before engaging in a range of activities to develop understanding of indigenous culture and celebrate how lucky we are to share in such a rich and strong culture,” teacher Jess McManus said.
“The smoking and welcoming ceremony was guided and led by Sandra Patten, who shared her understanding of the local area and culture along with the importance of Reconciliation for all community members.
“Leaders from local schools spoke confidently about what reconciliation means to them and Councillor Arthur Allen gave his support on behalf of the East Gippsland Shire Council. Alice Pepper shared her culture and art with students through weaving workshops and storytelling through indigenous design.
“Brandon and Greg from B&G Cultural Fire Awareness engaged students and staff in a workshop around caring for country and land management. Uncle Daryl Andy shared stories from his childhood exploring the importance of indigenous knowledge in the local area. Aunty Frances displayed possum skins which the students were invited to decorate with symbols representing their own stories, and local KESO’s Hugh Pepper and Rex Solomon got students moving in indigenous games.”
Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) staff attended, supporting students to engage with activities, building relationships and providing activities such as badge making and sand art. Further activities explored planting, art and face painting throughout the day.
A barbecue lunch hosted by LEAHA and staffed by family volunteers provided a space for elders, students and families to gather and yarn about the significance of the day and ways to support the local community in moving further towards reconciliation.
“Lakes Entrance Primary School is grateful for the support of so many local providers and specialists coming together to support our students to celebrate Reconciliation and share their rich knowledge in support for such a significant day,” Ms McManus said.
“The day was overwhelmingly positive and strengthened by the ongoing connection between the school and the local indigenous community.”
Lakes Entrance Primary School provided the following response written by two grade five students, Riley Growth and Zac Matthews, about what Reconciliation means to them:
“Reconciliation means to come together and harmonise the tension between indigenous and non-indigenous people. Reconciliation means to say sorry for the awful actions of the past.
“I am proud of our school for running activities to keep the indigenous culture going. Activities such as the transition program, a program that brings indigenous students together to learn about their culture.
“We encourage students to help and include others. The IOP hip hop dancers showed us to ‘be proud, no shame and respect’. This was a fun way to learn dance and celebrate culture with the whole school.
“Every Friday at our assembly our indigenous leaders speak an acknowledgment of country for the whole school and community. We have access to indigenous books in the library which include books made by past students.
“Our school takes pride in accepting each person today, indigenous and non-indigenous people. We continue to recognise and celebrate indigenous culture. Now more than ever we need to be proud of our culture, identity, and difference. Now more than ever we need to respect all the indigenous people and leaders, from the past, the present and our emerging leaders. It is a great step and an important opportunity for us as a community to come together to celebrate our amazing indigenous culture.”
IMAGE: Secondary and primary school students from around Lakes Entrance took part in Reconciliation Day activities at Lakes Entrance Primary School recently, including a welcoming and smoking ceremony. (PS)
