National Sorry Day and Healing Ceremony

Over thirty First Nations students and student leaders from Rosanna Primary travelled by bus to Malahang Reserve to attend the Banyule Council’s National Sorry Day and Healing Ceremony on Tuesday 26 May. It proved a powerful remembering of the taking of children from First Nations families.

The ceremony included the lowering of flags, reading of poetry and the profound remembering of so many families and communities shattered. Uncle Colin led an Acknowledgement and Welcome to Country, followed by a moving speech from the Lord Mayor.

A huge thank you to Reconciliation Banyule, Banyule Council and the team at the Barrbunin Beek Gathering Place for bringing the community together. It was great to have two First Nations students from Rosanna Primary lead the ceremony as they read a reflective poem. All were impressed with the moment of reflection and students highlighted the traditional dancing as a significant highlight.

All left the ceremony thought filled and engaged, bringing many important conversations back into the classroom. We are proud of how respectfully our students represented the school and how they engaged with the day’s experience.