Darebin Schools Yarning Conference

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October 2022

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Reconciliation Victoria warmly thanks Darebin City Council for inviting us to the fifth Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference 2022.  
 
More than 400 Year 5 Students and their educators came from 21 local schools to Bundoora Park Farm and Cafe. 

Darebin City Council has worked proudly with Clothing the Gaps Foundation and a Schools’ Working Group to plan and develop a pre-conference learning program for all participating schools as well as the conference program.

Conference learning activities were led by Aboriginal cultural educators, Elders, artists, activists, and included a wonderful presentation from Mandy Nicholson, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Custodian and Mark Thomson from the Yoorrook Justice Commission. At Rec Vic's stand, we were accompanied by Sketch Group Illustrator, Lucinda, who captured the thoughts shared by the students and drew them onto our canvas (pictured below).

Here are some of the great comments shared by students:  

‘Truth-telling means to me that no matter what, you get your voice heard and you let nothing stop you.” 
Iva, Year 5 

‘Important we learn about the past so we don’t do it again.’ 
Esme, Year 5 

‘Healing Country is important to remember the past.’ 
Eva, Year 5 

‘I am Aboriginal and feel proud of my culture. We should learn everyone’s culture.’
Shondette, Year 5 

The day was a beautiful celebration of a love of learning First Nations culture and truth-telling.

We were impressed and overwhelmed with the knowledge and passion these students shared about truth-telling and reconciliation in education. 

If you want to find our more about the process and program of the Darebin Yarning Conference please contact Jackie Mansourian.