COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNSELLOR

What a fun-filled Term 3 we have all had in the Cultural Engagement space. Firstly, I want to acknowledge our amazing QATSIF Art competition place-winners. As a testament to the skill and talent demonstrated in all the pieces, ALL the College entries placed in this year’s competition! We have shared the artwork images on our College Facebook and Instagram pages, but would like to acknowledge the achievements of the following artists here as well:

• 1st place: Lorianna Eseli – Year 10 Lino Printing
• 2nd place: Osaelma Tabuai – Year 10 Lino Printing
• 3rd place: Jmelliah-Lee Barrett – Year 10 Printing
• 3rd place: Tyreisha Major – Year 12 Lino Printing
• Highly Commended: Mackenzie Chong – Year 12 Lino Printing
• Highly Commended: Tooya Gorringe – Year 12 Lino Printing

We also celebrated our favourite time of the year –  NAIDOC Week! 

The focus for our College’s NAIDOC Week this year was, “Community”. Reflecting on this theme, we connected with the community by visiting Central State School and Heatley Primary School. At these schools, we were immersed in a variety of activities such as singing, dancing, yarning, traditional games, and reading. Throughout the week, we also were involved in a traditional cook-up, corroboree dances and a scavenger hunt. It was wonderful to see the level of participation and interest in these events. 

Perhaps the highlight of the week was our annual NAIDOC Week assembly, an event which was filled with joy. It featured a traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, and dances by traditional owners, the ‘Wulgurukaba Walkabouts’. 

Our amazing guest speaker and past-pupil, Dr Lynore Geia, inspired everyone with her warmth, intelligence and compassion. A proud Powers House alumni, Dr Lynore reflected on the happy memories she had at the College as a boarder, but also the difficulties she encountered when separated for long periods from her family and lands. She shared her thoughts on ‘connection’ and how we all share connections, regardless of who we are or where we grew up. We will hold her words in our hearts forever.

We witnessed traditional dancing from the Torres Strait Dance Group, and enjoyed engaging in a whole College sit-down dance (or two!). We also acknowledged our Year 12 sisters who achieved their QATSIF Graduation Certificates. It was truly a wonderful way to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The assembly allowed everyone to celebrate the oldest, continuous living culture on earth. 

Concluding the week, our Year 12 students were lucky enough to attend the Blak Excellence lunch. This was a deadly afternoon and gave our students an opportunity to listen to speakers from different education, training, and work backgrounds. We were also very lucky to have Uncle Hans Pearson come and speak about his life and journey. We then attended the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander – Year 12 Graduation Recognition Liturgy 2022, which was hosted at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this year’s NAIDOC Week. 

Paije Kulbicki

COMMUNITY EDUCATION COUNSELLOR