This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, celebrates five decades of recognising the strength, resilience, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As a College community on Wadjuk Noongar Boodjar, we are proud to have come together throughout the week to learn, celebrate and strengthen our connections with culture and community.
The week began on Monday with a whole-school Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country led by Barry Winmar, followed that evening by our Indigenous Family Night, bringing our mob together in a warm and welcoming environment.
Tuesday saw six PC groups, our Year 12 Indigenous students and staff attend a special NAIDOC Mass, where they were privileged to hear from Donella Brown, Director of the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. The day also featured the much-loved Teachers versus Year 12 Netball Game, filled with enthusiasm, laughter and school spirit.
Wednesday’s whole-school NAIDOC Assembly was a standout highlight, proudly led by our Indigenous students and featuring a Welcome to Country by Olman Walley and a keynote address from Philip Walley-Stack. Year 7 student Aylah reflected that her favourite part “was when pop Olman talked about the crows and the kookaburra”.
Later in the week, students will enjoy a didgeridoo performance from Olman Walley, a visit from Indigenous author Boori Monty Pryor, cultural games with the Stephen Michael Foundation and a NAIDOC games afternoon with Emmanuel Catholic College.
We thank all guests, families, students and staff who have made this year’s NAIDOC celebrations such a meaningful and memorable experience.
