Darebin Yarning Conference Cultural and Professional Learning Day
Reconciliation Victoria was honoured to co-host this year’s Darebin Yarning Conference Cultural & Professional Learning Day for educators with Darebin Council and the Wurundjeri Corporation. The Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference (DSNYC) is now in its ninth year. The cultural and professional learning day is a pre-conference learning program. 18 of the 22 Darebin Primary Schools represented by 30 teachers gathered at Liwik Loorendegat Ancestors Guidance, Wurundjeri Classroom, at University of Narrm/Melbourne to participate in the Professional Learning Day.
Uncle Bill Nicholson opened the day with a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Guided by Uncle Bill Nicholson (Wurundjeri Corporation), Evander Michell and Jackie Mansourian (Darebin Council), educators took the opportunity to listen to many stories of Wurundjeri history and contemporary activism. They also explored and discussed the pre-conference resources and learning pack developed by Darebin for teachers to engage with their students before the Yarning Conference in October 2026.
This year’s conference theme centres around Protest, Truth-telling, Treaty and Racism.
Reconciliation Victoria's Education Officer Emily Hui was part of the development of the Professional Learning Day and will participate in the conference in October. The Rec Vic team were proud to co-facilitate the Professional Learning Day with Uncle Bill and Darebin Council.
Darebin Council has been running the Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference (DSNYC) for nine years in conjunction with the Wurundjeri Corporation. It brings together 22 primary schools and around 420 teachers and students. It typically runs in October for one day.
The DSNYC gives primary school students the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal stories and cultures and truth-telling, directly from local Elders and Indigenous organisations. The DSYC is regarded by many notable educators (including Independent Schools Victoria, Department of Education and Catholic Education) as an outstanding example of how to engage young people in learning about Aboriginal history and culture.
Learn more about the Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference.
