The 11 APS Schools recognised Reconciliation Week on Saturday 25 May with the annual APS Reconciliation Round. Many Carey students wore the specially designed Carey reconciliation t-shirts in the week leading up to and on game day.
Our Head of First Nations Partnerships, Mr Michael Nelson, wrote a moving Acknowledgement of Country that all Carey home teams read out prior to the start of each game:
We would like to begin by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we are playing today, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, and pay our respect to their Elders past and present and also extend that respect to any First Nations people here today. We recognise their strength, resilience and wisdom and are grateful for their unbroken custodianship of this Country that holds all the values, places, resources and cultural obligations associated with the area.
The Wurundjeri people called the Yarra River ‘Birrarung’ – ‘river of mists and shadows’. The Birrarung was central to the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri people. Wurundjeri people lived near Birrarung and its tributaries, caring for the many culturally significant places. The Yarra Flats here at Bulleen are associated with the accomplishments of creation ancestors and spiritual beings. Bolin Bolin Billabong near our playing fields was an important area for living, learning and playing.
Today we celebrate and recognise that sport is the ultimate cultural community connector and we will play in spirit of celebration, connection and reconciliation as we walk side by side with First Nations peoples.
We congratulate and thank all students, staff and coaches for their fantastic support of this important event on the Carey school calendar.
Paul Jepson
Head of Sport
