Local primary school students were among those immersed in Aboriginal culture as Uncle Max Eulo walked among the large crowd of people during a traditional smokingBy Kath Gannaway
WORAWA Aboriginal College in Healesville reopened last week.
The college was suspended from operating in December last year for failing to meet standards set by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).
But six months later, with the introduction of the college’s new principal, Peter Moxham, an academic reference group and new teaching, administrative and boarding house staff, there was an atmosphere of celebration and high expectations for the future.
The college hall was packed with supporters, local and state government representatives, representatives of local indigenous and non-indigenous welfare and church organisations, Worawa board members and family of Worawa founder Hyllus Maris.
There was also an acknowledgment that the past six months had been difficult.
“The journey out of this period has been one of reflection, restructure, internal examination and the confronting of difficult truths,” Worawa college association president and board of governors member Lois Peeler told the gathering.
Ms Peeler said the fact that Worawa was re-opening was due a lot of hard work by many people.
“While we recognise the dedication of these special people, it is also timely to re-acquaint ourselves with the vision that created Worawa in the first place,” she said.
She said that vision was no less real and no less needed than it was 25 years ago when Worawa first opened.
She said Hyllus Maris was a woman of action, not words, who saw education as the answer.
“Hyllus Maris looked at a better, prouder future for our people and said educate, and now!” she said.
She said the education Ms Maris envisaged was the best of Aboriginal education and the best of western education.
Mr Moxham has been principal of a number of multi-cultural colleges including an Anglican girls school in Sydney, the Australian International School in Malaysia and an Islamic college in Melbourne.
“I’m nervous,” he said.
“And the reason is I know this means so much to so many.
“I feel it is not a burden however, but a privilege to make sure this is the Worawa we want.”
Mr Moxham said the Worawa model of education would be something which he hoped would be seen not only throughout Victoria, but throughout Australia as an inspirational model not just for Aboriginal children but for children who come from many walks of life.
“It’s not just a program about key learning areas it’s about re-igniting a self-belief and self-respect and feeling of pride and that’s what obviously is so important for so many of our Aboriginal students,” he said.
Former student Kelly Egan said her three years as a student at Worawa had been instrumental in the career she now has with Eastern Access Community Health.
“It taught me how to be proud of my culture and proud of who I am,” she said.
The academic success of Worawa will be supported by the Worawa Academic Reference Group (WARG), which includes representatives of Monash, Melbourne, La Trobe, Victoria and the Australian Catholic universities, RMIT and Box Hill TAFE.
The Worawa Action Fund was also launched to the wider community.
Its objectives include providing active support to the college, establishing an investment fund to ensure the college’s financial future, promoting indigenous cultures and traditions and funding student scholarships.
VRQA director Lyn Glover’s official handover of Worawa Aboriginal College’s registration certificate was met with enthusiastic applause.
Ms Glover congratulated the college board and everyone involved over the past six months saying the college had worked co-operatively with the organisation to regain registration.
