SO much more than a school, the Academy of Sport, Health and Education (ASHE) has, for over two decades, shown what is possible in education when curriculum, art, culture, community and sport collide.
Operating from the First Nations led Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence in Shepparton, the academy provides culturally safe education, training and employment pathways for Senior Secondary Indigenous students aged 16 to 18 undertaking the GOTAFE Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC), using art and sport as a vehicle for engagement and community development. In doing so, it proves that when education is led by culture and connection, it helps young people “not only to graduate but to soar.”
As part of ASHE’s commitment to truth telling and civic leadership, students this term have closely followed the progress of proud Kerrupnara/Gunditjmara man, former Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and current Executive Director – Centre for Truth Telling and Dialogue at the University of Melbourne, Travis Lovett, during his National Walk for Truth 2026. The walk, from Melbourne to Canberra, will culminate in the delivery of an open letter to the Prime Minister on May 27, calling for action on national truth telling for First Nations people.
In response, ASHE Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) students in collaboration with Kaiela Arts Galyatj Schools Program, created a special banner, message stick and possum skin letters, which were presented to Travis as he passed through the region on his 39 day, 800 kilometre journey, during a special meeting at Dookie College, Dookie on May 1.
Sharing messages that echoed “healing over blame”, the message encapsulated on the presented possum skin was expressed by students in the following way:
Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, we travel alongside Travis to Canberra sharing the message of truth. The true history of our past must be told acknowledging the suffering we have endured, the obstacles we continue to face and the need for healing and change.
The footprints symbolise this walk highlighting the importance of keeping our culture alive and strong for future generations.
The campsites represent the many mobs of the Yorta Yorta Nation coming together.
The waterways reflect our river system that are central to our identity and way of life.
The kangaroo tracks exemplify a vital food source and the importance of always moving forward and never backwards.
