National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

ACU visit featuring Uncle Kutcha Edwards

National Sorry Day on 26 May signalled the beginning of Reconciliation Week in Australia.

To mark the day, a group of our Year 10 and 11 Indigenous and FIRE Carrier students attended a special event featuring Uncle Kutcha Edwards at the Australian Catholic University (ACU), Melbourne Campus.

During the visit, students received a guided tour of the campus and its facilities, led by Jim-Baa-Yer student ambassadors. Staff spoke to students about the Indigenous pathways available.

Our students were able to visit the Midwifery wing at ACU and the Moot Court in the Law faculty.

Year 11 student Isabella shared these thoughts about the day:

“Listening to the histories and cultures of the First Nations peoples was a significant way to spend National Sorry Day. It deepened our understanding of the pain and suffering Indigenous communities have felt and continue to feel.

“We gathered around Uncle Kutcha Edwards with other members of the public and his family and watched him sing songs about his experience as part of the Stolen Generation.

“It was powerful watching him with his nephew playing the didgeridoo, sharing his own emotional experience of being removed from his parents. He taught us that: “you can take the man out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the man”.

“We were also offered meaningful advice. He told us there are no shortcuts to life and if we want something bad enough, we have to work hard and get it, however long it takes.”

Indigenous artist visits

We were fortunate to welcome Indigenous artist, Merindah-Gunya (Bailey Mifsud) at the Melton Campus last week, who ran a workshop with some of our Indigenous and FIRE Carrier students.

Merindah-Gunya is a Whurrong woman from Warrnambool who began sharing her art in early 2020.

She now runs her business full-time, which is dedicated to storytelling through art and educating young people about the beauty of Indigenous culture.

During the workshop, Bailey told students about her background and journey into art as a young Indigenous woman.

She explained the meaning behind her totem and other symbols. Students then had an opportunity to paint their own stories about their families.

“Meeting Bailey and taking part in her art lesson was informative and fun. We learned about the different symbols and their meanings within Aboriginal art. It was great creating a story through these symbols with my friends and Bailey. Overall, the experience was incredible.” Izabella, Year 11.

Reconciliation Week activities

This week, the College will acknowledge Reconciliation Week with various activities at both campuses.

Imra Banu

Project Officer, Indigenous Program