YourVoiceWinter2020

Australia celebrates National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June every year. Did you know that the week is bookended by two of the most significant milestones in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history? These are the successful 1967 Referendum acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision. National Reconciliation Week To mark National Reconciliation Week, students at St Peters Lutheran College, Spring Mountain State School, Springfield Central State School, Good Shepherd Catholic College and The Springfield Anglican School participated in a virtual reading and yarn with First Nations children’s author, Trevor Fourmile. Trevor, who also works at Hymba Yumba Independent School in Springfield, has recently released his third book ‘How The Crocodile Got Its Teeth’. This is a creation story which helps to explain the history and some of the traditional beliefs held by the Yidinji First Nations People of Far North Queensland, where Trevor grew up. This story has been told orally by many generations over thousands of years and is intrinsic to the Yidinji culture, both past and present. Through the Springfield Rise Community Grants Program, The Y Community Centre at Springfield Lakes helped to coordinate a work experience filming session with students through the The Amplify Project - a social enterprise event and production company. This filming was then streamed into classrooms, reaching 230 students and their teachers, followed by a live yarn with Trevor. Students were invited to ask the author questions and find out a bit more about his culture, and why it is a good idea not to trust a crocodile! It was such an engaging experience for students to mark National Reconciliation Week. Thank you to Bec at The Y Community Centre for helping to facilitate such a fantastic community initiative through the Springfield Rise Community Grants Program. If you’d like to learn how the crocodile got its teeth, you can view the replay here . Local First Nations children’s author virtually reads new book to Springfield schools Students from five local schools participated in a National Reconciliation Week virtual reading with local First Nations children’s author, Trevor Fourmile