This year, I was fortunate enough to have been selected to attend the NSW Catholic School’s Spirit on Country conference. This conference brings NSW (and ACT) schools together to celebrate and learn about how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and truth come alive in their communities.

The conference was held in Tamworth, and a big focus of the conference was all around truth telling. To begin the truth telling, our first day was spent on country at the sight of the Myall Creek Massacre.

This is the sight of one of the many unprovoked attacks on Aboriginal people during the 1800’s. However, 28 Aboriginal elderly men, women and children died on the 10^th of June 1838. The difference is that even though many of these attacks were never brought to justice, the convict stockmen involved in the attack at Myall Creek were.

As I sat under a tree at the memorial site, I realised we, as a nation, have a long way to go. And it is through truth telling and listening that healing can begin to happen. 

This experience set the tone for the next two days of the conference, to have a heart that is open, and ears that are listening. The Holy Spirit was certainly with all of us as we engaged with each keynote speakers and breakout sessions. I even got to meet a legend of the NRL game – Gregg Inglis, yep! GI himself! And author, Anita Heiss!

I have walked away from this conference with a sense of purpose, a deeper appreciation of my role in leading Aboriginal Education and drive to make sure our school is one that helps to close the gap as we walk in love and peace.

Haley Stonham

Curriculum Coordinator

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Contact