A gift to Brisbane Catholic Education and all Australians - Uluru Statement from the Heart presented to hundreds of South East Queensland school principals

30/05/2022

​​​​​Pictured from left to right: Senior Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Dr Mayrah Dreise, St Joseph's Tobruk Memorial School Beenleigh Principal Kevin Billion, Sacred Heart Primary School Sandgate School Principal Joanne Kimmins, BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns, St Andrew's Catholic School Ferny Grove School Principal Tim Stinton, and St Matthew's School Cornubia School Principal Bronwyn Buckley.

In a ‘hallmark’ day for Brisbane Catholic Education – principals at 146 schools were presented with Uluru Statement from the Heart at a leadership event this week to cement the statement into their school community’s ‘hearts and minds’.  
 
Senior Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Dr Mayrah Dreise, who leads the way for improving First Nations perspective in education in BCE schools, said principals were challenged to “Be Brave, Make Change” this National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June). 
 
A proud Gamilaraay and Yuwalaraay woman from Southwest Queensland and Northwest New South Wales, Dr Dreise said presenting the Uluru Statement from the Heart to all BCE school principals is one ‘steppingstone’ towards reconciliation.  
 
“As school leaders, we are asking Principals to use courageous hearts to have courageous conversations about the history of First Nations Peoples,” said Dr Dreise. 
 
“We’re asking not only principals - but also our community of more than 12,700 staff and 76,9000 students - to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart and seek to understand it.  
 
“It’s important to Brisbane Catholic Education and to the journey of reconciliation that we are all on – that we as a community understand it.  
 
“The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an important gift to all Australians – and to BCE - from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.” 
 
BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns said presenting all schools with the Uluru Statement from the Heart was “the first step for our schools as we work with First Nations peoples towards reconciliation within our communities and beyond.” 
 
“We’re committed to creating inclusive and culturally safe schools and workplaces,” said Dr Towns. 
  
“Our 2022 initiatives include developing a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy, rolling out new online Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural inclusiveness training to all staff, working towards increasing the number of First Nations peoples in Brisbane Catholic Education, and supporting all schools to have Reconciliation Action Plans.” ​ 

Dr Mayrah Dreise with Uluru Statement from the Heart.jpg
Senior Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Dr Mayrah Dreise with Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Background 
 
Archbishop Mark Coleridge publicly endorsed the Uluru Statement From The Heart on behalf of the Archdiocese of Brisbane on 24 September 2021. 
 
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

 

 


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