Yarrabilba State Secondary College has finally been able to host its first Indigenous Yarning Circle and Smoke Ceremony after numerous setbacks this year.
Principal Belinda Tregea welcomed special guests Ted Williams, Mark Williams, Brendon Knight, and a group of Indigenous dancers to the school.
She thanked Ted for his welcome to country.
“I too would like to pay my respects to the First Nations owners of this land, the Yugumbeh peoples who lived on and cared for the Yarrabilba Valley where Yarrabilba State Secondary College now stands,” Principal Tregea said.
“It is important for our college community to acknowledge that these lands have always been places of teaching and learning and that under the concrete and asphalt of our schools, the land, seas and waterways were and always will be traditional Indigenous lands.”
Yarrabilba State Secondary College only opened this year, and because of weather events and covid-19 restrictions, the ceremony was pushed back a few times.
“It is so lovely to finally be able to hold this ceremony and celebrate as a college with our wider community,” Ms Tregea said.
“Our college is situated in Yugambeh Country in a community with the Yugambeh name Yarrabilba meaning ‘place of song’.
“We are very proud of our Yarning Circle as a place of learning, respect, and connection.
“Yarning Circles have been used by Indigenous communities for centuries…by incorporating yarning circles our students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge are enhanced.
“The smoking of our college site also has great significance in our foundation year, even more so given the considerable challenges 2020 has thrown at us all.”
