We approached our local Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers with the idea of organising an Indigenous Round in our local Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) and school sports competition as part of our NAIDOC celebration. Aunty Calita and Aunty Karen supported this initial idea.
We wrote a proposal to the Sydney Coastal PSSA executive team who also supported the initiative and assisted with gaining support from principals. We invited the 17 schools forming part of the Sydney Coastal PSSA organisation to nominate two students to a workshop at Clovelly PS. Aunty Karen and Aunty Olivia held the workshop. Both indigenous and non-indigenous students collaborated to create a special Sydney Coastal PSSA Acknowledgement of Country.
Multiple parties were consulted to contribute to the draft Acknowledgement of Country, including our Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers, PSSA Executive Committee, and involved principals. Edits were made and the final version of the Acknowledgement of Country and advertising were sent out to all schools to share with their communities.
On the day, students were encouraged to wear the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in the form of ribbons, socks, and tape. At each venue, both school sports and PSSA competitions, decorations were put up with posters, signs, and ribbons. Students gathered before the game in a circle to read the Acknowledgement of Country. Indigenous students were invited to read if they wanted to.
All students and teachers reported a wonderful and authentic way to begin NAIDOC Week celebrations. The event was well attended by parents and community members. Sydney Coastal PSSA advised that it will be an annual event in their calendar.
