Get Schooled on Reconciliation at Cooma Cottage

The National Trust (NSW) is proud to open the Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition at Cooma Cottage in Yass on Friday 18 October.

The travelling exhibition is comprised of works from primary and high school students who have taken up the challenge of portraying their perspective on the 2018 theme for Reconciliation: ‘Our Voices Our Future.’ The National Trust (NSW) began touring the finalists’ works throughout the state in 2015, allowing more schools and students to get involved and show off their art and writing works.

Reconciliation NSW Project Manager, Thea Butler, said she is thrilled the partnership with the National Trust provides the Schools Reconciliation Challenge Exhibition with a regional tour.

“Touring enables different regional schools to be inspired by the challenge and also for those who participated and are included in the exhibition the possibility of showing all their friends, family and community,” Thea Butler said.

“Each year the theme chosen by the Schools Reconciliation Challenge helps students to relate to different aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, ideas and history via online activities and lesson plans. Students focus on art and writing to express what they learn in the classroom. Lesson relate to Truth Telling, Recognition and Respect as well as exploring and appreciating Aboriginal art and learning about individual artists and writers.”

Ms Butler said the Schools Reconciliation Challenge is open to schools throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and the ‘Our Voices, Our Future’ exhibition features works from northern New South Wales towns like Tumbulgum, to Moruya in the South, as well as central NSW and Canberra.

The opening event at Cooma Cottage features the following program:

  • Welcome to Country performed by Aunty Lillian Bell, Ngunnawal
  • Smoking ceremony performed by Braithan Bell-Garner, Ngunnawal
  • Guest speakers from Reconciliation NSW
  • Performance by Ngunnawal Traditional Dancers

For Schools and Teachers in Canberra and southern New South Wales regions

The event is also an opportunity for schools and teachers in the region to find out about the following opportunities:

  • How to be involved in future exhibitions with Yass students artworks as part of the exhibition.
  • Indigenous Artist Talks at the Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition at Cooma Cottage for schools groups.
  • Discover how to use the free lesson plans and activities to develop inclusive classrooms and build knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s histories, cultures and contributions. There is still time to develop entries for this year’s challenge. The Reconciliation NSW theme for 2019 is ‘Speaking and Listening from the Heart’.

Exhibition Opening Event details:

Where: Cooma Cottage, 756 Yass Valley Way, Marchmont NSW
When: Friday, 18 October, 2019, 5.30 pm – 7.00pm
Refreshments will be served.

To arrange interviews at this event, contact: Claire Baddeley
Email: cbaddeley@nationaltrust.com.au

What’s on offer for Teachers and Students

Contact Claire Baddeley to participate in:

  • Teachers are invited to join us at the opening ceremony and find out how to be involved in future exhibitions with Yass students artworks as part of the exhibition.
  • Indigenous Artist Talks at the Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition at Cooma Cottage for schools groups.
  • Teachers are invited to use the free lesson plans and activities to develop inclusive classrooms and build knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s histories, cultures and contributions. There is still time to develop entries for this year’s challenge. The Reconciliation NSW theme for 2019 is ‘Speaking and Listening from the Heart’.

About Cooma Cottage

Cooma Cottage is the home of the first Australian-born explorer, Hamilton Hume, who bought the cottage on 100 acres and set about expanding it for his new life as a pastoralist. Cooma Cottage is a fascinating historical site to visit, set on extensive grounds perfect for picnics and lazy afternoons.

About the National Trust (NSW)
The National Trust is Australia’s oldest and largest independent conservation organisation founded in 1945 in New South Wales by Annie Forsyth Wyatt. Collectively the National Trust in Australia owns or manages over 300 built and natural heritage places (the majority held in perpetuity), is supported by 7,000 volunteers and employs more than 300 people nationwide.

The National Trust (NSW) is committed to engaging the community to celebrate and conserve heritage places and collections through events and education. With the support of our members, volunteers and dedicated staff and partners, we advocate on the protection of historical and naturally significant places and collections to ensure their preservation for future generations.