Catholic students from across Maitland came together on Tuesday for a special ceremony, celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC Week.
All Saints’ College, Maitland welcomed students from St John the Baptist, St Joseph’s East Maitland and Holy Spirit Kurri Kurri to share in the celebration.
As elder Uncle Alex Nean led a smoking ceremony, he spoke to the students about respecting all cultures and each other.
“There’s a big world out there for you, so enjoy what you’ve got and respect each other regardless of what culture you are,” he said.
All Saints’ College ATSI student leaders Cody Field, Darcy Campton and Ruby Bradford led the ceremony.
Cody said this year’s NAIDOC Week theme 50 Years of Deadly means honouring five decades of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“As we celebrate this significant milestone we honour 50 years of recognising and celebrating the strengths, resilience, leadership and cultural richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said.
“We give thanks to the elders, artists, advocates, educators and communities who carry culture, story and identity forward, ensuring the future generations will continue to walk proudly in their heritage.”
The ceremony also acknowledged the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s historic address to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Alice Springs in 1986.
After the ceremony the school unveiled a large-scale artwork by Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti artist Uncle Richard Campbell commissioned by the school.
The five by two and a half-metre artwork, which is hanging proudly in the library at the junior campus, took Uncle Richard three months to paint.
It depicts All Saints’ College’s journey, with images representing its future and past, the rainbow serpent, the Hunter River, hand prints from the 2025 year 12 students, and the reflection of Christ.
