At Don College, reconciliation and acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land is an important part of our school culture. As part of National Reconciliation Week, students were able to pledge their support for reconciliation by tracing their hand on the concrete near the northern lawns, coming together to acknowledge the importance of recognising and celebrating First Nations cultures in our own community. 

Community Services student, Eden handed out acknowledgment of country on Wednesday as part of the events that took place for students to show their support. 

"It’s important for people to understand that this land was Aboriginal land and acknowledgement of country shows the history of where we go to school and the importance of place. It shows just how special it is, we are fortunate to spend our days in this environment."

Thank you to our Community Services classes and the student leadership group who organised, set up the events and ran activites including colouring in, volleyball and live music. 

__________________

National Reconciliation Week—held every year from 27 May to 3 June—is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explorehow each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

What’s the significance of 27 May and 3 June? 

27 May marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

3 June marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australiarecognised native title—the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonisation.

The day before National Reconciliation Week, 26 May, is National Sorry Day, which was first held in Sydney in 1998 and is now commemorated nationally to remember and honour the Stolen Generations.