Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference

Spirit on Country: Learning Together, Then, Now and Always

Welcome to Country opens the conference.

Smoking Ceremony at the conference.

IEU members joined fellow teachers, support staff, and principals, along with Catholic education leaders, students and parents, for the Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference in Tamworth from 22 to 24 October. This year’s theme was ‘Spirit on Country: Learning Together, Then, Now and Always’.

The triannual event, of which the union is a sponsor, is an important time for many students and staff, including Karen Tighe, Catholic Schools Subject Matter Expert: Indigenous Education K-12. “The conference is a unique opportunity for all educators to gather on Country to reflect, learn and share their journey with an open heart to make a difference for our students to a hope-filled future,” said Tighe.

This year, the conference was jointly hosted by Armidale Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW). It featured opportunities for professional learning, including workshops, presentations and experiences on Country. “The conference focuses on the critical role of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become successful lifelong learners and to set far horizons,” said Tighe.

Guest speakers included mental health advocate, former NRL player, and Dunghutti man Greg Inglis; Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, Strategy and Leadership at Newcastle University and Wiradjuri man, Nathan Towney; the Director of Schools at Armidale Catholic Schools, Regina Menz, and the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, Dallas McInerney.

IEU Assistant Secretary Lyn Caton, left, with Australian Catholic University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Kelly Humphrey. Above right:

This year, the conference was jointly hosted by Armidale Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW). It featured opportunities for professional learning, including workshops, presentations and experiences on Country. “The conference focuses on the critical role of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to become successful lifelong learners and to set far horizons,” said Tighe.

Guest speakers included mental health advocate, former NRL player, and Dunghutti man Greg Inglis; Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, Strategy and Leadership at Newcastle University and Wiradjuri man, Nathan Towney; the Director of Schools at Armidale Catholic Schools, Regina Menz, and the CEO of Catholic Schools NSW, Dallas McInerney.

IEU Vice President Support Staff Kylie Booth-Martinez, centre, with colleagues from the Bathurst Diocese attending the conference.

Acknowledging Myall Creek

The three-day event began with time on Country at the Myall Creek memorial site, with a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony. Attendees came together at the site to remember and honour the Wirrayaraay People who were killed in a massacre there in 1838.

At Myall Creek, “It was hard not to have feelings”, said Aboriginal Education Worker and IEU Vice President Support Staff, Kylie Booth-Martinez.

“The fact we are gathered on Country at the Myall Creek Memorial site truly reflects the message of the conference of learning together – then, now and always as educators,” said Tighe.

“It’s also a gathering of amazing Aboriginal educators sharing and leading cultural knowledge in a western education system which highlights the excellence and celebrates successes in Aboriginal education in NSW Catholic Schools.”

It’s important for the IEU to sponsor such an event, said Booth-Martinez, who expressed her gratitude to Asssitant Secretary Lyn Caton for doing “an amazing job representing the IEU” at the conference.

The message stick at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Armidale.

Message sticks open conversation

In the lead-up to the conference, a message stick travelled from community to community in the Armidale Diocese. Traditionally, message sticks were passed between language groups and clans to transmit messages and information, Tighe explained.

The CSNSW message stick is typically handed from the hosts of one conference to another; but this year, the Armidale Diocese Aboriginal Education Committee decided to share it with schools and communities too. Each week, it was passed from community to community, including a stop at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Armidale.

“It has opened conversations about the conference, reconciliation and brought communities together through the message of education – in particular Aboriginal Education and it belonging to everyone,” said Tighe.

IEU member Craig Duncan, right, with Sharon Cooke of Catholic Schools NSW.

Lucy Meyer
Journalist