Year 5 Students Experience Wurundjeri Smoking Ceremony and Cultural Education
Our Year 5 students had the privilege of participating in a Smoking Ceremony at Yirramboi Campus, led by Thane, a proud member of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. Thane spoke about the revival of language, shared the story of the Keilor Cranium and explained the cleansing power of the ceremony’s smoke, giving students a deeper understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the land on which we learn.
Following the ceremony, Sara and Tully from Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation led hands-on Education sessions. Students explored possum skins and their uses, discovered how babies were traditionally wrapped in them, examined natural stones for cutting and fire-making, tried creating smoke with fire sticks, painted lizards on their hands in ochre, and played a game of Marngrook (footy). It was a full day of learning, connection, and cultural immersion.
We acknowledge and pay respect to the Marin Balluk people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which Overnewton Anglican Community College stands. We respect the knowledge that will be forever embedded within the Aboriginal Custodianship of Country and remember the loss of cultures, languages and Lands they have endured. Like the Marin Balluk people, we at Overnewton want to respect the Land, the cultures and the heritages, and learn from those who have come before us in the passing on of knowledge and the teaching of life skills, as well as continue with wise stewardship of our buildings and grounds. We honour their custodianship of this Land and offer them our deep respect.