NAIDOC 2023
This year the Indigenous Support Team were doing things differently! NAIDOC bigger and better than ever. Let me introduce you to our Team.
We wanted to show our Community that this year’s NAIDOC theme, “For Our Elders”, holds a special place in our school. What a better way to show how much we appreciate all that they have done and continue to do for us, than having them to school and celebrate them. They have paved the way and continue to guide us, drawing from their knowledge and sacrifices so that we can enjoy our lives today.
The old saying about it takes a village, really is true. At Toolooa we are very lucky to have a very supportive village to help out. We could not have made the day as amazing as it was without the help of Fiona, Toni and the students from the Flexi learning Centre, Scotty and Mick, our wonderful Well Being Team to help serve all the delicious food, and the many students who helped set up activities.
Our student helpers dropped off some treats to staffrooms. We made morning tea hampers with Lemon Myrtle Damper topped with butter and golden syrup, and coffee sachets.
Our guest list was extensive, with over 200 students and guests in attendance. We had a large number of our Elders, Representatives from Council, Local and Federal Government, Industry Supporters, Headspace, South School, Rainbow Valley Kindy and of course, our Toolooa students and some of their friends.
Our celebration started with a Welcome to Country from Gooreng Gooreng Elder, Yubby Juliri, followed by some speeches and then some dancing from the Pacific Pikininis. There were art and craft activities on the lawn after lunch, all topped off with a delicious cake.
A special thanks to Aunty Shar and the Team at YBI and also Ebony and her Team from Headspace, for their generous donations towards the day.
We look forward to having more celebrations with our Elders and Community to help build lasting relationships for our students.