The Crier The Newsletter of Cobram Anglican Grammar School
Term 4 Edition, 2024
Gathering stories and strengthening connections: Yarning Circle opens On Monday 21 October, Cobram Anglican Grammar School (Cobram AGS) proudly opened its Yarning Circle. This space is a celebration of the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, particularly in Yorta Yorta Country, where the school stands. At the Yarning Circle, visitors will have opportunities to learn about Indigenous culture and perspectives, share their own knowledge and connect spiritually with country. The ceremony featured special guests, including Aunty Iris Troutman, CEO of the Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation, who so eloquently explained that the Yarning Circle would become a safe and inclusive space for storytelling, collaboration, and deepening cultural understanding. The morning began with a traditional smoking ceremony led by Uncle Eric, who played the didgeridoo as students participated, with Year 5 student Kadeyn Duggan joining him. Following the ceremony, the school’s Indigenous students and staff had a unique chance to sit with Aunty Iris and Uncle Eric to “yarn,” embracing the age-old tradition of knowledge-sharing within this newly established cultural space.
Principal, Mr Keith Willett, reflected more broadly on what the Yarning Circle will come to mean to the school community: “Cobram AGS is committed to the process of reconciliation and this Yarning Circle will allow students and staff to have culturally important conversations in a space where everybody stands on equal footing,” he said.
The establishment of the Yarning Circle has been several years in the making, and its opening was rightfully celebrated as a special milestone for the school community. Year 12 student and proud Yorta Yorta man Jett Robbins remarked: “It’s the basis of how our culture is taught, learnt and passed down. It’s a vital aspect of Indigenous life and plays a massive role in promoting spiritual health.”
Page 1 Integrity, Endeavour, Community