By Brendan Rees
Tooradin Primary School has celebrated a significant first recently with an official flag-raising ceremony of the Aboriginal flag in its school grounds.
Official guests and the school community joined to sing the national anthem before witnessing the first flying of an Aboriginal flag.
The school’s wellbeing co-ordinator Rachel Davis said it the ceremony was a proud moment for the school as it recognised Koorie cultural practices.
“Students of Koorie heritage and our student leaders conducted this special occasion with great respect and the community were able to celebrate the enormous pride we all feel in being Australians,” she said.
It was also an important part of Australian history, past, present and into the future, Ms Davis added.
Guests at the ceremony included Casey Mayor Amanda Stapledon; Koorie Education Support Officer Peter Dye; Regional autism and inclusion consultant Michelle D’Souza; staff of the Tooradin Kindergarten and school council president Rachel Davies gathered for the ceremony.
Tooradin Primary is working on plans for an outdoor classroom and indigenous ‘bush tucker’ garden to imbed students’ connection to their unique natural environment.
Guests were treated to a special afternoon tea prepared in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen program to mark the occasion, sharing food and stories of their cultural origins.
