Caring for Country 2020 Finalists

Moruya High School

Moruya High School

Tree to the Sea

2022, Artwork, High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

DUGA (Deep Water Dharug)

2022, Artwork, High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

Our Land, Our Sea

2022, Artwork, High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

River Man

2022, Artwork, High School

Loreto Normanhurst School

Loreto Normanhurst School

River to Land: River-Bank Marine Animals

2022, Artwork, High School

Singleton High School

Singleton High School

Connection

2022, Artwork, High School

Eglinton Public School

The River Said to the Sea

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

Our writing group decided to write a poem where the River speaks to the Sea to demonstrate the connection of the River and the Sea. Our poem illustrates the importance of the river to First Nations peoples. We researched and then described six of Australia’s significant events of the past, to show our country’s reconciliation journey. We finished our writing with our hopes of a brighter future for unity and healing as a country.

Newington College Wyvern House

The Life Blood of this Nation

2022, Writing

Reconciliation means…

To me, reconciliation means making up for past mistakes. The new settlers arrived in the First Nations people’s land. They taught the Indigenous Australians how they lived and they stole Indigenous Australian children. For all of these mistakes, we must reconcile with the traditional owners of our land, no matter how late.

Ellison Public School

Acceptance

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

This poem means that no matter how much we once denied it, some terrible things occurred. The hurt still remains and we can’t ignore what happened. Although we can not undo our history, we can make up for it. We need to acknowledge the ancient and unbroken connection Aboriginal people have with this land.

Manly Vale Public School

Our Home River

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

My story is based around three boys who do not respect the environment. Whilst learning the hard way, they get stuck in a flood. They need to remember how to get home by using the river they were once told through story telling. First Nations peoples’ cared for this land and told stories to communicate their knowledge. They have a spiritual connection to the water and I wanted that to be portrayed in my writing piece.
Teachers Click Here

Many of these resources and activities have been developed in consultation with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to ensure that the program meets NSW curriculum outcomes for Stages 3, 4 & 5.