From May 27, June 3 is National Reconciliation Week (NRW). It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation must live in all Australians’ hearts, minds, and actions as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part, we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
Before many of our meetings or gatherings, we acknowledge the country in which we live, learn and work.
Damascus College acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather; the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation.
We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today.
We express gratitude for the care that has respectfully preserved the natural resources that are life giving to our school community. This illuminates our learning and deepens our spiritual connection to the land.
We honour the stories, traditions and culture that has been shared with us. In living our Mercy values joyfully and with hope, we pray that the work of truth telling and reconciliation will finally carry the day in Australia.
May we walk gently, respectfully and sustainably upon the land.
On Monday, the College welcomed elders, special guests, community members, students and staff from Loreto College and St Patricks College, and heard the devasting story of Brenda Mathews, speaking of her experience as the Last Daughter – a documentary produced on Netflix telling her story. Our National Sorry Day ceremony was a beautiful occasion and reflection about the role we can play when it comes to reconciliation.
On Thursday last week, we officially opened the Xavier Flood Senior Learning Centre. It has been fantastic to witness and be a part of such a significant building project for the College. From the moment the first sod was turned in September 2023, to standing here today almost 20 months later for this official opening, it’s clear how much has been achieved.
This state-of-the-art facility includes 23 classrooms, houses 28 staff members across 7 offices, 468 lockers, 272 classroom tables and provision for 544 students. It’s an amazing building that not only supports our ongoing growth as a College but also offers a contemporary, vibrant, and purposeful learning environment for our students.
Many of our students have already commented that it feels “university-like” — a testament to the quality, design, and intention behind the space, and a powerful symbol of the high expectations we hold for our learners as they step into senior education.
The celebration was rich in symbolism and community spirit, featuring a Smoking Ceremony, student and staff addresses, a moving choir performance, and a blessing by Bishop Paul Bird CSsR.
Our Executive Director, Tom Sexton, delivered the DOBCEL address and was joined by Megan Ioannou, Director of Stewardship, to unveil the commemorative plaque. It was a wonderful event celebrating faith, learning, and legacy.