4 Winter 2014
SCHOOL NEWS
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL IMMERSION FIELD TRIP: APRIL 2014 “When a Noongar person speaks from the spirit and the listener listens with an open heart, it can be a life changing moment that common words cannot grasp to explain.” George Walley, Noongar Elder Roeland Mission
“It was an eye-opening and interesting journey in more ways than one for me. Acknowledgement is such a simple act to undertake, yet we still struggle to do that in today’s society. To acknowledge what happened in Aboriginal and Australian history is to have the power to make change. It allows us to know who we are, where we have come from and what purpose we have on this earth.” Renee Poetschka “With knowledge and understanding, we can strive for: Compassion Hope Awareness Noongar Cultural Understanding Goodwill Empathy to create a better future for all Australians.” Tina Deegan
And so it was that a group of Junior and Secondary School staff spent four days under the tutelage of Simon Forrest, Elder in Residence at Curtin University and Noongar Elder, travelling from Perth to Mandurah, Pinjarra, Dwellingup and Roelands Mission, listening to, and learning from, those we had the privilege of meeting. The purpose of our journey was to gain a greater understanding of the Aboriginal culture; the values, beliefs, traditions and laws, so that we in turn could bring this understanding to our school community through the Australian Curriculum and, more broadly, into our relationships with our Aboriginal students, their families and communities. We gained so much more than this. We gained an insight into the repercussions of the Pinjarra Massacre and the Stolen Generations. We traced the path of Governor Stirling’s expedition to Pinjarra in 1834 and we listened to the stories from those who had been taken from their families and placed at Roelands Mission. The more we heard, the more we realised just how limited our awareness of Aboriginal history and culture actually was. Our cultural immersion weekend was a journey indeed, but not of distance travelled. It was a journey of learning and self-reflection; a journey that can only be described as life-changing as we heard the stories of hurt, healing and hope. As a group we shared an amazing experience together and feel energised and compelled to act as we determine how best we can now weave what we have learned back into our school community.The following quotes from participating staff may give you an insight into our time away.
“I have been privileged to meet, engage and share. I look forward to continuing my journey of discovery and understanding. I also feel an obligation to share, both at the College and on a wider platform. I have hope and faith that as a nation we can work towards understanding each other better.” Kate Gillam “This was a truly life-changing experience as it provided an opportunity to listen respectfully and with humility, to the testimonies of the Noongar people and acknowledge the history of Western Australia through their eyes, unveiling truths that illuminated a path of hope to bring healing to all Australians through cultural education.” Michelle Clifton “This program provided staff with an excellent opportunity to develop their understanding, awareness and respect for Aboriginal culture. It was a privilege to meet so many people and to hear firsthand, the stories of the Stolen Generations; this was so valuable if we are to move forward to reconciliation.” Laura Rutherford Vanessa Best, Neesha Copley and Trish Somers also took part in this program. Our trial program achieved everything and more that we set out to achieve. Our intention is to provide this amazing opportunity to staff again in 2015. Meg Melville PRINCIPAL
the Kangaroo stew lunch with Mrs Keering and
“It was a privilege to meet a number of Elders who had been children at the Roelands Mission. It was an inspiring, albeit difficult experience to hear them recount their harrowing stories. I am grateful to now have a better understanding of the grief and loss suffered by those families who had their children forcibly removed. As a mother, I just cannot imagine how they could go on.” Danielle Glucina “I felt a valuable gift was given into my care this weekend; a deeper understanding of Noongar knowledge, personal stories and experiences. My task now is to thoughtfully and respectfully share this gift with the Penrhos community.” Ellen Morrow “The truth is revealing. It never dies, and belongs to the future to keep it alive in order to understand, heal and move forward. An emotionally intense journey of horror, disbelief, beauty and hope.” Christina Habib “Although there is much more to learn and understand, I returned from the Aboriginal Cultural Immersion program with a far greater appreciation and knowledge of the Noongar people’s history, much of which will enrich the Year 4 History program and also of the desire of those people whom we met to continue along the pathway of healing in order to improve the lives of all who call Australia home.” Kerry Jenke
Memorial to commemorat e the Pinjarra Massacre
Pinjarra mob