From the Dean of Identity and Community
National Volunteers Week
National Volunteers Week is an annual celebration of the contributions and achievements of millions of volunteers across Australia. It is a time to recognise the diverse and valuable roles that volunteers play in various sectors and communities, from health and education to environment and social justice. National Volunteers Week also aims to inspire more people to get involved in volunteering and to appreciate the benefits of giving back to society.
At St Laurence's College, we are proud to have a strong culture of service and solidarity that reflects our EREA touchstones of Gospel spirituality, inclusive community, justice and solidarity, and liberating education. This week our students were fully active in various volunteer programs including breakfast at Emmanuel City Mission and our Year 10s were also out and about for their various volunteer activities as part of their Cert II in Active Volunteering.
I had the pleasure of accompanying three Xavier House students to Ronald McDonald House for the Kids Club they run on a Wednesday afternoon. This can sometimes be difficult as our students often need to step outside their comfort zone and have that ability to allow themselves to have fun with the young people staying there. As were there this week you always take time to look around at the families staying there with their children being treated. Some of them have come from tough days at the hospital with various sorts of treatment and these visits from our students and the volunteers down there allows them time to interact with other people and be a kid without the weight of the world on their shoulder. We cannot thank our students enough for taking time to be part of all the service opportunities at the College.
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It is held from 27 May to 3 June, which are significant dates in the history of reconciliation, such as the 1967 referendum, the Mabo decision, and the apology to the Stolen Generations. The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.
On Friday morning we gathered for our annual Smoking Ceremony led by Uncle Marlon Riely. This has been a tradition leading into the AIC Reconciliation Round for the last four years. This year had added significance as we launched our College Message Sticks that were presented to our Heads of House, House Leaders, College Captains and Dr Liam Herbert. The Message Sticks will become an important part of gathering particularly when we gather as a College in the future. Traditionally when First Nations people travelled between country, they took the Message Stick with them and could show this to the owners of the country to signal they were in different land with peaceful intent.
MR PAUL CORFIELD
Dean of Identity and Community