"This year’s NAIDOC theme 'Heal Country, Heal Our Nation' is significant for me as a Catholic Aboriginal woman, my spiritual connection to country is inherent to my identity. It is more than a place it connects me to my faith and culture calling for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction. God’s gift of creation for all...."

— Reflection on NAIDOC Week 2021 and this year's theme, 'Heal Country!' from Karan Taylor, CEDoW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education

This week, indigenous and non-indigenous students joined with teachers, Aboriginal Education Assistants and Catholic Education Office staff at St Joseph's Catholic High School, Albion Park, to officially open a new indigenous garden installation.

A big congratulations to CEDoW Aboriginal Education Assistant and talented Aboriginal artist, Uncle Kevin Butler, who has won the prestigious Mil-Pra AECG Exhibition Mayor's Choice Award for his artwork, 'Do trees feel pain when they burn?'.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of busy school life at St John the Evangelist Campbelltown now lies a beautiful raised green space, surrounded by paved gardens and splashes of vibrant colour. Logs, rocks, mats and pillows all decorated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and artworks provide a fitting tone for the school's new yarning circle and serene garden area, which was officially opened this week.

The fourth annual Deadly Encouragement Awards were held on October 17 at Waniora Public School in Bulli, celebrating and recognising Northern Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students doing great things in their community. The aim of the awards is to make children feel valued by acknowledging and rewarding their efforts.

St John’s Campbelltown student, Eva Grados, has tumbled her way to the top, scoring her first lead role in a feature film – ‘A Second Chance: Rivals’ – as talented young Aboriginal gymnast, Alkira.

Mixing it on set with the likes of Olympic gold medallist, Sally Pearson, and AFI Award winner, Natasha Wanganeen, the 12-year-old thoroughly relished the experience, and is now enjoying the red carpets and fanfare buzz around the Australian film’s premiere. The movie hits NSW cinemas this weekend.

CEDoW staff have joined educators from across NSW at the Hunter Valley in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to attend the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education NSW State Conference.

In its second day today, the conference has been a fantastic opportunity to explore, connect, discern and share knowledge and wisdom in relation to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander education.

From the art room to the playground, the school grounds to the library, there has been plenty happening to mark NAIDOC Week 2019 as CEDoW schools have come together to celebrate the invaluable contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made - and continue to make - to our communities, our families, our rich history and to our nation.

With over 700 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families enrolled in our systemic Catholic schools across the diocese, CEDoW communities were enthusiastic participants in the annual NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week.

A significant moment in the history of St Justin’s Oran Park – the school community has launched its new six-house colour system based on the Dharawal seasons of the year.

Using the beautifully crafted research by Aunty Fran Bodkin in her book, D’harawal Climate & Natural Resources, the school has renamed and expanded its four-house system to now include six new house names, colours and animals representative of each Dharawal season.

CEDoW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Professional Officer, Karan Taylor, is a remarkable Aboriginal Catholic woman. Starting as a parent sharing her Aboriginal cultural knowledge with her children’s classes to now leading a team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education across the Diocese of Wollongong, Karan’s contribution to our Catholic education system and school communities has been immense. 

In light of this year’s NAIDOC theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’, and Karan recently receiving a prestigious NATSICC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council) Service to Community Award, we spoke to Karan about her life and work in a four-part audio interview here…

NAIDOC Week is an important time in our Catholic schools, where we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Through liturgies, assemblies, presentations and learning activities, our schools have learned about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and acknowledged the significant history and presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the many regions of our Diocese.

In a historic decision, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference endorsed the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) acknowledgment plaques for use in schools, parishes and organisations across Australia, making a strong statement of support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Toumanda Fohrman has faced struggles coming to terms with her cultural identity as she’s grown up. But support from her mother and her Aboriginal community have empowered her to find confidence and strength in her Aboriginality.

Today, the Year 12 student from St Joseph’s, Albion Park, has aspirations to pursue a career where she can give back to her Aboriginal community and help others like her find their own purpose and sense of belonging.

In celebration of NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’, we spoke to Toumanda about her journey in a three-part audio interview here...

Six years ago, Kylie McElhone was juggling being a wife and mother of two teenagers, a full-time career woman and university student, all while searching for crucial answers to her family history and cultural identity. She might have had her doubts, but with a strength, determination and a passion for learning that has characterised much of her life, she made it through with flying colours. 

Today, her wealth of diverse professional and personal experience not only gives her an incredible life story, but powerful insight and empathy in her role within CEDoW’s Child Protection team.

In celebration of NAIDOC Week and this year’s theme, ‘Because of her, we can!’, we spoke to Kylie about her journey. Listen to our four-part audio interview with Kylie here...

NAIDOC Week is an important time in our Catholic schools, where we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples - and in particular this year, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

WATCH the Director’s NAIDOC Week video message and a video from students across the Diocese who pay tribute to the incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in our CEDoW community, inspired by this year's NAIDOC theme: Because of her, we can!

Each year National Reconciliation Week builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. It is a time for our CEDoW school communities to honour and learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the reconciliation journey.

National Sorry Day falls this year on Saturday 26 May and is a day when we pause to remember the Stolen Generations of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  It leads us into the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and National Reconciliation Week, which is held each year between 27 May and 3 June. 

A celebration and immersion of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture provided a memorable experience for over 60 staff from across the Diocese at a recent CEDoW conference.

Guided by the theme, Reconciliation: Everyone’s Business, the two-day event saw Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher Contacts and Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) from our schools, and other Catholic Education personnel gather at The Hermitage in Mittagong.

A beautiful painting celebrating the richness of Aboriginal storytelling, culture and connection across the Diocese of Wollongong has been gifted to newly ordained Bishop Brian Mascord from CEDoW staff.

The reviewed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy was released 20 October 2017 at a gathering of educators, school leaders and Aboriginal Elders and community members. 

The second annual 'Deadly Encouragement Awards' were held on October 19 at Waniora Public School, recognising Indigenous students in the Northern Illawarra region, who consistently apply effort in all areas of their schooling.