Flying flags mark new era in Meredith

FOR the first time, the Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Island flags are flying together in Meredith.

New flag poles have been installed at the Meredith Primary School and Indigenous students Nevaeh, Serenity, and Willow raised them officially for the first-time last week.

Principal, Lachlan Day, said the school community wants to lead the way, and walk the talk, when it comes to respect and inclusion.

“We want to make sure we are acknowledging people from the land which we are on, the Wadawurrung people,” he said.

“We spoke to some locals, and the Meredith Community Centre, and thought we would try to position the flags where they are as visible as possible, and have people walking past them every day coming into school as well.

“Our kindergarten children can also see the flags as they walk down to the kinder, as can those visiting our local Community Centre.

“We want to continue to embed these inclusive practices in our day-to-day schooling. It is a privilege to fly these three flags as a symbol of our pride that we have in our country.”

The school received a $5000 grant from the Moorabool Wind Farm to purchase and install the poles and flags.

Mr Day said the event was part of their belated NAIDOC celebrations, as the official week fell during the school holidays.

Wadawurrung woman Nikki McKenzie performed a Welcome to Country, with Kurnai/Wotjobaluk man Norm Stanley playing the digeridoo while the flags were raised.