With water comes life: NSW students connect with the rivers and seas of our island home

On Monday 28th November, Reconciliation NSW, in partnership with The Australian Museum, will launch the 13th annual Schools Reconciliation Challenge (SRC) exhibition. Event speakers will include the Hon. Ministers Ben Franklin, Aboriginal Affairs, and Sarah Mitchell, Education, as well as some student finalists from the 2022 challenge.

This year’s theme ‘From River to Sea: Our Island Home’ engaged over 13,000 students and teachers across NSW and the ACT, who accessed online lesson plans and activities that explored the continuing connections to water, and identification with freshwater and saltwater by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. To showcase the learnings and subsequent innovative art, finalists from 22 primary and high schools will have their artworks on digital display at The Australian Museum during the launch event. The Australian Museum will also display the finalist artworks on their website from the 28th of November. 

Throughout the year, as NSW was confronted with water in unprecedented ways, we were reminded of the need to look to First Nations Peoples, whose water management practices have ensured survival for tens of thousands of years. The SRC directed student’s learning to the importance of First Nations knowledges, both historically and in the present, and gave them a deeper understanding of what reconciliation means. 

“The Challenge is a wonderful initiative” said Barbara Dowse, Art Consultant, Curator and SRC judge. “The children’s visual expression and their accompanying statements of their understanding of what reconciliation means are authentic and inspirational.”

The launch event will be live streamed to the public and will include in person photo opportunities for media. 

Background

Now in its 13th year, the SRC is an annual art and writing competition that is centred on a different theme each year. Schools across NSW and the ACT are encouraged to participate and take advantage of the lesson plans and activities provided on the Reconciliation NSW SRC website. 

Through exploring the themes from a First Nations perspective, children gain a deeper understanding of the rich and diverse cultures of Australia’s First Peoples. They then create art and writing based on their newfound understandings and provide a statement about what reconciliation means to them. 

This year, 663 art and writing entries were received from 38 different schools. Each entry reinforced the compassion, understanding and pride that is developed through the SRC learning experience. “Reconciliation NSW is humbled by these children who are paving the way for a better and fairer future for all.” Says CEO of Reconciliation NSW, Tristan Tipps-Webster. 

Media contact:

Danielle Sampedro 

0406 119 749                                             danielle.sampedro@reconciliationnsw.org.au

Reconciliation NSW                                    www.reconciliationnsw.org.au