Reconciliation Week cookout at Cummins Area School

On Friday the 30th of May our Reconciliation Week festivities came to a conclusion with our beloved Cook Out. We were fortunate to experience a beautiful day at our new Reconciliation site, which functioned significantly better than the location across the road. A heartfelt thank you to:

• Our Town Cummins: Your generous funding made the day possible, and your support throughout was invaluable. The positive energy and financial contributions for food items, along with funding for Jason’s participation, were crucial to the success of our Reconciliation celebration. Our Town serves as an incredible hub for our youth, and it was fantastic to see Birdie and Ally there to help break down barriers to participation in activities.

• Cummins Home Hardware: Thank you for once again for supplying the board and paint for the mural. Your annual donations of materials have allowed us to create several murals around the school, fostering a sense of pride among all students.

• Woolworths, Drakes, and Coles: We are deeply appreciative of your food donations, which were essential for the preparation of the kangaroo stew. Special thanks to Shanara for coordinating the logistics with emails, updates, and last-minute item collection.

• Nauo Elder Jason: We are grateful for your warm welcome to each group on your Country and for playing the didgeridoo during every session. Your engagement with students and teachers enriched our experience, and we look forward to future collaborations to enhance our cultural understanding. Having a Nauo Elder to support us in building reconciliation in our community is truly wonderful.

• Kyle and Rupert: You both quickly took charge of the coals to create an enjoyable experience for those interested in cooking damper. Your creativity and teamwork ensured that every attendee had a fantastic time. Thank you for your initiative and for overcoming any challenges that arose.

• Our Primary Students: The students who managed each stall did an outstanding job educating their peers and the entire school about damper-making, artifacts, bush food, boomerangs, and constellations. A huge thank you to Leo, Cody, Fleur, Ollie, Riley, and Brody for your passion for your Aboriginal heritage. Your contributions were vital to the day’s success, and your voices are valued and appreciated.

• Connie, Nanna Lizzie, and Birdie: Your hard work in preparing the Aboriginal Flag mural allowed everyone to contribute meaningfully. It was heartwarming to see such respectful participation, and the mural will proudly adorn the future bush tucker area. We cherish the contributions made by Connie, Kyle, and Rupert in designing this cultural space, with assistance from their Year 12 peers. While we will miss them as they transition into life after school next year, we are eternally grateful for their input in developing the bush food area for our primary students in the years ahead.

This brings me to the remarkable Shanara, who dedicated herself to fostering our Aboriginal students' confidence in their culture, ensuring their success, and directing the celebration at the Cookout. Students thoroughly enjoyed her Auntie’s kangaroo stew, and many expressed their gratitude to me, but it was Shanara and Kerry McCallum who skillfully prepared it on Thursday. Their culinary talents were noted by several teachers, who commented on the delightful aroma. Thank you, Kerry and Megan, for your help with the bin situation and for cooking the wattle seed muffins that featured on the bush food table—the kids loved tasting them.

Shanara ensured that everyone was well-informed, activities were organized, and food donations were coordinated. She made numerous trips to Pt Lincoln to gather items, aiming for a more meaningful experience compared to previous years, where students primarily remembered cooking damper. Excitingly, James and Shanara are expecting their first baby soon, and we look forward to maintaining her vision of allowing students to shape the cultural area. We anticipate her ongoing connection with us and her eventual return to a role in which she has truly excelled.

This marks my fifth year celebrating National Reconciliation Week with a Cookout, a tradition I introduced from Kirton Point Primary School when I began. This year far surpassed anything from the past, thanks to the Aboriginal student voice and input, guided by Shanara’s leadership and the support of our children's teachers who entrusted them to her for consultation.

The new cultural space has great potential for use during CREW time, and we hope everyone will embrace the “yarning” circle for outdoor learning and enjoyment moving forward. The Stephanie Alexander kids will also benefit from using the circle to reflect on their gardening experiences.

Donna Bagshaw