National Reconciliation Week (NRW) at Ascham always offers a great opportunity for reflection and learning together across the whole School. It is central to Ascham’s Ngara Commitment.
A true highlight of NRW this year was the visit to our school by Michael Long. A proud Anmatjere and Marranunggu man, Michael is a former Essendon AFL player and a leading advocate for Indigenous rights and reconciliation. He shared his experiences at the Senior School assembly, about speaking up, leadership and what it takes to create lasting change. We closed the day with Ascham’s Little Long Walk event.
In 2004, Michael Long walked 650km from Melbourne to Canberra to speak to the Prime Minister about putting Indigenous issues back on the table. It was named The Long Walk. More than 20 years later, our Ascham community’s third Little Long Walk honours this journey of Michael’s and reinforces our commitment to move forward together with purpose.
National Reconciliation Week is framed annually by two significant dates in Australia’s history: the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on 27 May and Mabo Day on 3 June.
In 1967, more than 90% of Australians voted to amend the Constitution so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted in the national census and recognised by the Commonwealth, marking an important step towards greater equality. Mabo Day recognises the 1992 High Court decision, after a campaign led by Eddie Koiki Mabo, that overturned the idea of terra nullius and formally acknowledged the land rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Together, these two events mark critical steps towards recognition and therefore mark the beginning and the end of National Reconciliation Week each year.
This year’s theme, ‘All In’, invited each of us to think about the role we each play in reconciliation. It encourages a shift from simply being aware to taking thoughtful action and shared responsibility.
We were so excited to launch our brand-new Indigenous sports training shirts this week too. Co-designed by Ascham’s First Nations students with Wodi Wodi/Wadi Wadi artist Natalie Abraham, the designs speak of identity and connection. We are immensely proud of the girls, who approached the process with care and a strong sense of belonging to their culture. Each layer carries cultural meaning—capturing where they come from, the journey they are on, and the support of family that continues to guide them.
While National Reconciliation Week always includes several key events, its purpose extends well beyond any single moment. It offers time to pause and think about what reconciliation looks like in action—within learning, relationships and everyday interactions—now and into the future.
