Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference 2022
Published on 01 December 2022
More than 430 Darebin students learned how to Get Up! Stand Up! and Show Up! for First Nations People at this year's Yarning Conference.
by Charles Pakana
More than 430 Grade 5 students converged upon Darebin’s Bundoora Park for the fifth Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference in October this year.
Introduced in 2018, the conference provides primary school students the opportunity to learn about First Nations culture and history, directly from local Elders and First Nations organisations.
As the students and teachers gathered together under the expansive shelter of the park’s pavilion, they were welcomed to Country by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung woman Mandy Nicholson; and they received much more than they may have initially expected.
As someone who has dedicated so much of her life to learning and promoting her native language, Mandy gave an impromptu language lesson to the fascinated students; and in keeping with the ever-growing demand for truth-telling, she asked how many of them spoke a language other than English at home with their parents and grandparents.
With around a third of the students raising their hands in response, she said: “I’m really happy that you can speak that [language] with your grandparents…because my grandmother couldn’t [was not allowed to] speak her language.”
Maintaining a focus on truth and the need for real change, Darebin Deputy Mayor Cr Trent McCarthy encouraged students to embrace their role as emerging leaders:
“Remember that as you enter Year 6 next year, you become leaders in your schools – someone that other students look up to.
“What you do matters. I ask that you take today’s learnings and use your voice to ask your Principal, teachers and families to take action in recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. With the support of your teachers and Council – you can lead that change.”
Following the opening talks, which also included Mark Thomson from the Yoorrook Justice Commission talking about its important truth-telling work, the students separated into groups to attend one of 10 interactive workshops.
Including traditional art and craft, dance, games and Woi-wurrung language, the workshops were facilitated by a range of organisations, such as Reconciliation Victoria, The Long Walk, Clothing the Gaps, 3KND, the ever popular Djirri Djirri Dancers and generous and multi-talented Aboriginal staff from Council.
Yet despite the meticulous planning, from an observer’s perspective it became apparent that in at least one case it was the students who guided conversations with Elders and workshop facilitators.
I was fortunate to be invited by Darebin Council’s Aboriginal Partnerships Officer Uncle Stuart McFarlane to attend a workshop he was facilitating along with a colleague. The focus of the workshop was intended to be the decolonisation of Bundoora Park.
That was the intent…but not necessarily the end result.
When Uncle Stuart introduced himself to the 30 or so students gathered in front of him, he made mention of the fact that he was a member of the Stolen Generations.
From that point on, while there was the occasional question relating to the original topic, the natural and unrestrained curiosity of children took control.
Over the next 20 minutes Uncle Stuart was bombarded with questions ranging from “How did you find your Aboriginal mother?” through to “Are you angry about what happened to you?”.
In commenting on the experience, Uncle Stuart said: “We clearly weren’t expecting the sudden change in direction, and it did take us a bit by surprise. But this is what the event is all about - students learning the truth about our culture and history.”
For the Yarning Conference’s coordinator, Darebin Council Community Development Officer Jackie Mansourian, it is the voices of the students that demonstrates the critical need for this event - and others.
“I heard a student from East Preston Islamic College say:‘My mum came to Australia and she experienced a lot of racism, but I can’t imagine what it must be like to experience that racism yet be in your own land.’”
Ultimately, it was a sign held aloft by a student and pointed out by one of the event’s two talented MCs (Clothing the Gaps’ Sara Sheridan and Lena-Jean Charles-Loffel) that spoke even further of the need.
Its message was simple.
“If education is so important teach us the truth.”
- Uncle Charles Pakana is a proud Aboriginal journalist working with Darebin Council to tell First Nations stories.
Want to see more action from the Darebin Schools' NAIDOC Yarning Conference 2022?
Check out our four quick clips below showcasing the day.
- Video 1 - Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
- Video 2 - Get Up!
- Video 3 - Stand Up!
- Video 4 - Show up!
View our photo album
Get involved
The Darebin Schools' NAIDOC Yarning Conference is held every October, guided by the NAIDOC Week theme each year. This year's NAIDOC Week theme was Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
If you are part of a Darebin school who would like to find out more or get involved, see our event page listing in the Annual Events Calendar.