CONNECTION to country will always be strong for Australia’s Indigenous people. To help foster understanding of that connection, Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) took 27 students into the heart of Yorta Yorta Country with a land and water excursion into the Barmah Forest.
The GSSC students are part of ‘On Country’, a Year 9 elective subject teaching Indigenous culture and history. They were joined by several First Nations students along a guided walk through the wetlands surrounding the impressive Dharnya Centre, and a boat ride aboard the Kingfisher along the Barmah Choke.
“The excursion allows the students to really relate to the content of ‘On Country’,” Humanities Teacher Chloe Morgan said.
“We teach First Nations history but always try to relate it back to this region to make it more meaningful,” she said. “There is so much local relevance here, like the Cummeragunja Walk-Off.”
The highlight for student Yulkirri Bamblett was the cleansing experience of a smoking ceremony led by Traditional Owner Ralph Hume.
“I loved hearing Uncle Ralph speaking the language, it was a great reminder of how our language could be used more,” said Yulkirri.
On Country will again be offered as a humanities elective available to GSSC Year 9 students in 2026, providing an overview of First Nations history after European settlement with a focus on the experience of Greater Shepparton traditional owners, the Yorta Yorta and Bangerang peoples.
