Dear Parents,

NAIDOC celebrations will occur during the school holidays between 7-14 July and this week-long event helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, enabling a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities.

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of a range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. 

At St Angela of the Cross, we recognise the Indigenous people as traditional owners of the lands on which our school resides. We acknowledge that these lands continue to be the cultural and spiritual heritage of Indigenous people.

In our commitment to fostering reconciliation and understanding, we are proud to share with you the meaning of our Indigenous art piece located at the end of the junior building, designed by a young Gunaikurnai artist, Zaralee McAuliffe-Douthat. Through Zaralee's artwork, we aim to celebrate Indigenous voice and traditions within our school community.

The artistic representation and story below not only beautify our environment but also serve as a symbol of respect and gratitude towards the Indigenous communities who have cared for this land for generations. 

Zaralee McAULIFFE-DOUTHAT 

Gunaikurnai 

Warragul (Dingo) 

(2023)

Warragul is the Gunaikurnai word for Dingo, and in making this artwork I wish to honour, thank, and pay my respects to the Dingo, who is one of the most misunderstood animals that have lived alongside Aboriginal people for thousands of years. As an apex predator and keystone species I admire their tenacity, adaptability and unique beauty. A true Aussie battler, they are fierce protectors who aid the survival of our other native species and strive to keep natural systems in balance despite the hardships they face at the hands of humans and domestic dogs. 

Thank you for protecting Country.

THE STORY: 

The story of this artwork is a simple one. A mother dingo keeps watch over her territory, a coat the colour of the sun, she shines brightly over the hills and valleys of Warragul. The Gunaikurnai people, with their shields and spears, join with Warragul the Dingo to safeguard the land from harm.

Blessing & Opening

We would like to invite our school community to the official Blessing and Opening of our Stage 2 Classroom Building. Please see invite with details below;