Leanne Flaherty

I’ve educated myself extensively on the hidden truths of the past and the impact on First Peoples. My personal family history involved, as a child in the 60’s and 70’s, hosting young First Peoples from the Ballarat Children’s Home during school holidays. My parents were early followers of the Aboriginal Advancement League. We unofficially fostered one of these children when he had to leave state care at the age of 15. My early and on going experience’s have led to wanting to know about the past and it’s impact on the present.

The true history of colonisation was never taught properly. As a primary school teacher it was only ever up to the individual teachers own knowledge or passion to tell a different story or tackle the problematic past. I suggest this is still the truth despite a slight change in education policy and practice. There has been a shift since 1970’s but it is small and needs to be properly and sustainably supported through teacher training and public awareness campaigns.

I’d like to see each teacher during their teacher training undertake compulsory cultural awareness courses and First Nations history pre and post colonisation. More public awareness campaigns and displays. Significant sites acknowledged and shown respect. Less tokenism and more heartfelt acknowledgment which will only come from better understanding and knowledge of cultural differences.

Encourage respect and welcome the process. The more non First Nations Victorians know about the truth without themselves feeling blamed the better the outcome. Join local Reconciliation groups and promote local small scale gatherings.

Encourage respect and welcome the process. The more non First Nations Victorians know about the truth without themselves feeling blamed the better the outcome. Join local Reconciliation groups and promote local small scale gatherings.