Indigenous Garden Ceremony 

A huge thank you to all those involved in the wonderful opening of our Indigenous garden. Special mention to Kellie and Keith Clark who have worked tirelessly in preparing the garden and Kellie for organising the day and the ceremony.

This area was originally designed and development commenced  in 2011 in order to celebrate Our Lady Star of the Sea’s 30 year anniversary which was coming up in the following year, 2012.  The area was established as a quiet space for passive play within our school grounds. As the design and construction was almost complete by many hard working parents and members of the school community, the idea evolved to surround the amphitheatre with an indigenous garden.   

This idea was inspired by the life of Rory McCaffrey, a special young man whose life was  tragically cut short far too early. Rory was almost 17 and was very passionate about Indigenous Culture, social justice and  Reconciliation.  

After having the opportunity to visit  Aboriginal communities in central Australia.  Rory was shocked and saddened at the two completely different worlds that existed within Australia.  It was Rory’s belief that we, who have so much, cannot sit by and watch those who do not.

Rory’s sister  Keely, was a student here at Star of the Sea.  Keely was about to commence Year 3, with Miss Lizzie back in 2012 when this area was first established.  We welcomed Keely and her father Tony McCaffrey back to Star of the Sea on this very special occasion. 

The  “Spreading the Message” program which our year 3 students participated in on the day with Corrina was created by the Rory McCaffrey Reconciliation Collaborative for young Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians in schools and communities to form relationships and increase cultural understanding,  to give a voice to young Aboriginal people and and to educate those of us who are not Aboriginal to better understand their culture and stories. 

The name decided on for this passive area is: 

didalaa kitjala

Which translates to:  a calm place to meet with friends