As with every year, we celebrated National Reconciliation Week (NRW) at the College. Our involvement in and acknowledgement of this significant week is one of the many ways we embed our commitment to enrich the knowledge and experiences of our students and staff about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

This is one of many commitments we make through our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It’s not just about marking the significant dates, it is our obligation to continually ensure our school community learns about and develops connections with Aboriginal communities in order for them to respect, understand, and appreciate the incredible heritage we share as Australians.

With every speaker, experience, and opportunity, we build a clearer picture about our history on this continent and deepen our gratitude for the care taken of the land that we now have the privilege to share.

For the College, we have the great fortune of being able to see, experience, and care for a patch of a critically endangered bushland that was once the most dominant plant community ranging from Manly to La Perouse.

The Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub is a pertinent and permanent reminder of the original landscapes of this area. It once formed part of an ecosystem that supported generations of Aboriginal communities with food, medicine, tools, drinking water, birthing sites and, ultimately, a temporary safe haven from the advancing colonisers.

This year’s NRW theme “Now More Than Ever” is a call to action, reminding us that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue. 

Jewish and Aboriginal communities have a long and meaningful history of supporting one another. This relationship is exemplified by figures such as James Spigelman, who joined Charlie Perkins and 30 other students in 1965 on a bus ride around New South Wales to highlight racial discrimination in Australia, and Ron Castan QC, whose involvement in key High Court land rights cases such as Mabo and Wik, alongside Mark Leibler’s recent referendum involvement, showcase this solidarity.

The support goes both ways, as demonstrated by William Cooper’s march to the German Consulate in Melbourne on 6 December 1938, less than a month after Kristallnacht, to condemn the cruel persecution of the Jewish people by the Nazi government in Germany. Nova Peris’ support for the Jewish community, especially notable since October 7th, further highlights this reciprocal relationship.

As a College, we see the critical role we play in embodying our Jewish values and enhancing our learning. We are dedicated to creating meaningful relationships with all Aboriginal people, especially now, more than ever.