Cobar High School (CHS) hosted a special morning tea at the school on Monday as part of the school’s activities to commemorate National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.
CHS’s Aboriginal coordinator Paige Jermyn and teacher Cassandra Best told the visitors the school aims to create a greater cultural presence for the local Wangaaybuwan Nation and Ngiyampaa people.
They explained the developments made to the school’s Yarning Circle, spoke about the importance of Reconciliation Week and the plans the school has to also celebrate NAIDOC Day later in the year.
Paige said National Sorry Day was held each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations.
“National Sorry Day is important to us as a school, because we use it to remember
and recognise our Stolen Generations,” Paige said.
She said students and staff used the day to reflect on the sad and painful history of the Stolen Generations and also recognised moments of resilience, healing and the power of saying sorry.
National Reconciliation Week commemorates the anniversaries of two significant milestones in our history: the May 27, 1967 referendum; and the June 3, 1992 High Court Mabo decision.
The 1967 referendum altered the Australian Constitution in a momentous way, with more than 90 per cent of Australian voters choosing ‘Yes’ to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 1992 High Court Mabo decision recognised native title rights in Australia for the first time.
This year during Reconciliation Week Australians are invited to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, to share that knowledge and help us grow as a nation.
“Don’t Keep History A Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow” is this year’s theme.
