Seeds of Change

Sometimes progress is made on the most confounding of challenges with the simplest of steps. We planted some seeds and let them grow. A challenge facing many schools is how to build genuine pride and respect for indigenous culture amongst the non-Indigenous student body. Don’t get me wrong, indigenous kids are very welcome here. But the ‘vibe’ seems to be that indigenous culture is just for the Koori kids; that’s their special club and ‘not for us’. I really want to change that thinking, but how? With my background in Landcare and environmental management, I’ve always observed and loved native plants and animals. NAC has a terrific patch of remnant bush, but its mature Casuarina trees (She-Oaks) have dwindled to only a few. As I walked under the old Casuarina outside our Gym, I suddenly realised the seeds of change we needed were literally hanging before my very eyes.

She-Oaks are the life blood of Australian Forests. They bio-engineer woodland habitat by feeding and sheltering endless species- especially our own namesake: the threatened Black Cockatoo.

“For our Elders” is this year’s NAIDOC theme. In many ways I see this remnant Casuarina tree as a precious indigenous Elder; a survivor, a wise and generous protector quietly waiting to provide this land and its people with endless generations to come.

One precious seedling at a time, we are connecting students to the land on which we live and learn. With the stories of the Black Cockatoo and Cambewarra Fire Mountain. With fire ecology and song and dance. With pride and deep respect for our First Nations.

Change. One seed at a time.

Mr Colin Mitchell
(Head of Social Sciences)