On Wednesday the 23rd of August our College community gathered with respect and enthusiasm to celebrate the rich and vibrant culture of Australia's first peoples. The reason for the celebration was NAIDOC Week. The celebrations commenced with a smoking ceremony. This involved burning various native plants to produce smoke, which has cleansing properties and promotes the protection and well-being of visitors. We were honoured with the presence of a local elder, Uncle David Bell who performed a captivating Welcome to Country. Our Catholic faith and Aboriginal spirituality were then intertwined with a moving liturgy. The celebration concluded with John Therry Catholic College students sharing their rich culture and talents in the form of a cultural performance. This facilitated a meaningful cross-cultural exchange between our two schools. The celebrations concluded with a community lunch for special guests and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Our staff concluded the day with a staff meeting focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.