Flying culture with pride

AT all four campuses, Woady Yaloak Primary School proudly flies the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian standard.

Principal Corey Pohlner said he made the request for a State Government grant for the poles and flags that fly atop them as a further step towards the school’s commitment to First Nations culture and people.

“To have visual representation of the three flags and the welcome to country signs at all the campuses will help to bring that to the front, rather than just talking about it,” he said.

“The poles and flags were only just installed around a week ago because trying to get contractors in over four sites during COVID was difficult.

“We wouldn’t have been able to fund it ourselves, it’s not cheap to put twelve flag poles in.”

Staff at Woady Yaloak Primary recently took part in cultural understanding and safety training as part of the Marrung Aboriginal Education plan.

As a result of this program, Mr Pohlner said his staff created a Koorie Club to encourage them themselves and the students to actively recognise indigenous’ culture.

“We have around 18 Koori students over the four sites that get together regularly through video conference and a teacher leads that,” he said.

“In addition to the club, we’re in the process of getting a Welcome to Country sign at every campus along with the flag poles.”

Having assisted the primary school fast track the grant process, Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle was happy to announce the $15,430 in State Government funding allocated to 12 flagpoles.

While the poles and flags are already up and flying, Ms Settle said when Mr Pohlner requested her help in securing the grant, she was more than happy to help the rural campuses.

“Woady Yaloak Primary is a school that takes pride in the traditional ownership of the land upon which it sits and flying the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags is a great way to celebrate that history,” she said.

“Corey rang me and said that they realised they didn’t have any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander flags and in a school like this, they get one school budget and run four campuses.

“These new flagpoles are about more than giving Woady Yaloak Primary students the school facilities they deserve, it’s about helping build student and community pride.”