Loreto Normanhurst

Voices of the Wiradjuri People

2023, High School, Writing

My poem ‘Voices of the Wiradjuri People’ talks about some of the experiences I have had as a young Aboriginal girl. This poem represents my connection to culture, Country and family.

Eglinton Public School

The River Said to the Sea

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

Our writing group decided to write a poem where the River speaks to the Sea to demonstrate the connection of the River and the Sea. Our poem illustrates the importance of the river to First Nations peoples. We researched and then described six of Australia’s significant events of the past, to show our country’s reconciliation journey. We finished our writing with our hopes of a brighter future for unity and healing as a country.

Newington College Wyvern House

The Life Blood of this Nation

2022, Writing

Reconciliation means…

To me, reconciliation means making up for past mistakes. The new settlers arrived in the First Nations people’s land. They taught the Indigenous Australians how they lived and they stole Indigenous Australian children. For all of these mistakes, we must reconcile with the traditional owners of our land, no matter how late.

Ellison Public School

Acceptance

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

This poem means that no matter how much we once denied it, some terrible things occurred. The hurt still remains and we can’t ignore what happened. Although we can not undo our history, we can make up for it. We need to acknowledge the ancient and unbroken connection Aboriginal people have with this land.

Manly Vale Public School

Our Home River

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

My story is based around three boys who do not respect the environment. Whilst learning the hard way, they get stuck in a flood. They need to remember how to get home by using the river they were once told through story telling. First Nations peoples’ cared for this land and told stories to communicate their knowledge. They have a spiritual connection to the water and I wanted that to be portrayed in my writing piece.

Newington College Wyvern House

Our Island Home

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

I wrote mainly about water because it is the connection between everything. It connects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples, the foreigners who came here, all of us who live here now, the land and nature. Water gives us life. We should try to live together peacefully and happily.

Manly Vale Public School

The Tribe's Rivers

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

I have published this text which is set in Australia. The story is about an Aboriginal tribe that uses the river streams as a map to move around their local area. This shows that water isn’t just used for drinking but it also shows the connection First Nations peoples have to the land they live on. I wanted to highlight how important water was and still is to all Aboriginal people in a creative writing piece.

Manly Vale Public School

Saving our Waters

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

I wrote this story because when the Europeans invaded Australia, they did not care about our oceans and animals. I wanted that to be visible in my writing. First Nations peoples are spiritually connected to this land and they made sure it was always protected.

Orana Steiner School

Just Like Water

2022, Writing

Author’s statement:

Writing this story gave me the feeling of how thankful we are to the Indigenous peoples who first walked this great land discovering all its beauty and its dangers. I have a love for the water, going on adventures and being outdoors and if it was not for their great lessons on hunting, nature and our waters we would not have the knowledge we have today.