Today at Tillys Waratah 2, we were so incredibly honoured to host a smoking ceremony to bless our mural designed and created by talented local artist April Newman.

Rhu from Winanga –y Dreaming, who is currently running a program here at Tillys W2, lead the ceremony in our 0-2 yard. After the mural was blessed the children and educators were lucky enough to witness a cultural dance performance led by Rhu that incorporated dream time stories of the rainbow serpent and dances that paid respects to Awabakal totem; the eagle and Australian native animals the kangaroo, kookaburra and crocodile.

This ceremony has been a long planned event by passionate educational leader Lauren, who is consistently striving to improve our ongoing relationship with our local indigenous community and embedding indigenous perspective. The event was planned as part of the programme currently ran by Winanga -y Dreaming and to align with Reconciliation week 2022.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.