DEAKIN University lowered each of its Aboriginal flags to half-mast earlier this month in response to Australia’s devastating bushfires.<\/p>\n
The unprecedented move was made in a symbolic attempt to mourn and respect the parts of the country that have been affected by fire.<\/p>\n
Students were notified of the gesture in an email sent by Deakin Vice-Chancellor Ian Martin, which said the request was made by Waurn Ponds’ Institute of Koorie Education (IKE).<\/p>\n
Director of IKE Gabrielle Fletcher said understanding and valuing the traditional knowledge of Indigenous Australians is a critical part of addressing the loss caused.<\/p>\n
“Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians all understand that by lowering a flag we acknowledge that something has died or that something is dying,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It is a symbol of mourning. There are so many people who are feeling anguish.<\/p>\n
“I think this action symbolically describes the collective realisation that we’ve lost so much more than what can be seen and is a true wake-up call.”<\/p>\n
Professor Fletcher thanked Vice-Chancellor Martin for his support in the gesture and suggested that the lowered fabrics become “the message sticks for urgent change”.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DEAKIN University lowered each of its Aboriginal flags to half-mast earlier this month in response to Australia’s devastating bushfires. The unprecedented move was made in a symbolic attempt to mourn and respect the parts of the country that have been affected by fire. Students were notified of the gesture in an email sent by Deakin […]<\/p>\n