WELCOME TO COUNTRY – MORE THAN JUST A CEREMONY
BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATING A DEEP CONNECTION TO LAND , SEA AND WATER
Womenjika ! Yaama . Hello . G ’ day . These are all words of greeting , of acknowledgement and of welcoming . Together , as a Scotch community , we embark on a new chapter in our School ’ s proud history .
We continue to welcome new members of the Scotch Family , including our 10th Principal . As we reflect on and appreciate the history of our School we must also continue to acknowledge the contributions , connections and histories of Australia ’ s First Peoples .
One such way we can do this is by upholding and recognising the traditions and customs of our First Peoples . For example , through continuing the practice of the Welcome to Country .
A Welcome to Country is more than a ceremony – it is a beautiful illustration of the deep connection to land , sea and water that Aboriginal people have had for over 60,000 years .
Performed by a local Aboriginal person of significance , such as an Elder , the Welcome to Country gives consent to the people and custodians that events taking place on the land of traditional owners are supported . A Welcome to Country is done in the spirit of coming together , of respect and as a sign of goodwill for our First Peoples .
As a school we recognise the Wurundjeri people ' s continuing connection to land and the environs surrounding and including Scotch College , as well as acknowledging their people and Elders with whom we share the caring of this country .
As we continue on our journey of reconciliation with the First Peoples , let ' s continue to uphold and recognise the traditions and customs of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters .
As we continue to learn from Aboriginal ways of living , being and doing , we all seek to gain 60,000 years of history , not lose the 235 years of modern Australia . Honouring our ancient past can allow us to better work and walk together in a shared future for all Australians .
WRITTEN BY STUDENTS FROM THE INDIGENOUS PROGRAM
SCHOOL CAPTAIN DION WHITFIELD
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