Spirit On Country: Learning Together, Then, Now and Always

Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, University of Newcastle.

Nathan Towney is a proud Wiradjuri man from Wellington, NSW and is Pro Vice-Chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership at the University of Newcastle. Prior to this appointment, Nathan spent over 20 years in the NSW Department of Education in a variety of roles, including his final appointment as the Principal of Newcastle High School. Nathan is a visible, active and strategic leader who champions people to be the best they can be. Most recently, Nathan has pulled a team together to develop the ‘Reimagining Evaluation: A Culturally Responsive Evaluation Framework for the NSW Department of Education’. Nathan has a passion for educational leadership and the characteristics of leaders that create environments where people want to be.

What's included in your ticket?

Included in your ticket price will be as follows:

• 3 days of professional learning.
• access to 2 on Country experiences.
• opportunity to experience an invaluable journey about the story of Myall Creek at the heritage-listed Myall Creek Memorial Site.
• transportation to and from Myall Creek Memorial Site on Day 1 (Tuesday 22nd of October), departing and returning to TRECC.
• invitation to the Gala Dinner on Day 2 (Wednesday 23rd of October).
• catering and refreshments across the conference.
• access to Catholic Schools NSW conference app.
• personalised lanyard.
• the opportunity to strengthen your understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in a Catholic environment.

Why gather at Myall Creek?

The first day of the conference will take place at the Myall Creek Massacre site. The site is of both cultural and historic significance and the immersion supports the following state and national Aboriginal education priorities.

NESA Reform Priority 5.3:

• A curriculum that specifies what every student should know and understand about Aboriginal cultures and histories and incorporate this into Human Society and its Environment.

AITSL Building a Culturally Responsive Australian Teacher Workforce final report:

• Institutional action at the school, system, sector and national level, supporting teachers to enhance and enrich their practice and to maximise student outcomes by developing their intercultural responsiveness.

In order to be fully prepared to walk the country and be immersed in the story of Myall Creek, we recommend visiting the Friends of Myall Creek Memorial (FMCM) website to learn both the story of the Myall Creek massacre and the initiative taken in 1998 that led to the creation of the Myall Creek Memorial as an act of reconciliation and healing. This memorial not only honours the lives lost but also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of acknowledging past injustices and fostering understanding and respect between cultures. Engaging with this history is a vital step in the ongoing journey towards reconciliation, emphasising the need for education that promotes empathy, dialogue, and collective healing.

The Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference has spoken at length regarding the importance we must place on reconciliation with the community, reminding us that the journey to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is not easy, but the Catholic Church remains hopeful of healing. 

“As we journey together, we must continue to heal from the past while also looking toward to the future. We need to find effective ways to ensure the common good is shared by all people of this nation, especially our First Nations People.” - Bishop Gauci – Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference.

Find out more on the FMCM website

Conference Themes

1. Songlines -Past and Present (Teaching & Learning)

Songlines are intrinsic links across Country encompassing traditional and modern cultural knowledge,stories, medicine, food and technology, astronomy, language, customs and teachings. This concurrent theme focuses on teaching and learning concepts in a plethora of formats from cultural learning, the NSW Reformed syllabuses, teaching strategies and advice, evidence-based research practices and innovative student engagement programs and pathways to a hope filled future.

2. Walking Country Together -Reconciliation (School & Community)

This concurrent theme focuses on the important role of reconciliation and shapes the way we move forward as a school, community and nation through educational immersions, reflection and most importantly walking together to build a deeper understanding of Truth Telling with an open heart.

3. Strong Culture, Strong Spirit –Wellbeing (Empowerment & Healing Journey) 

This concurrent theme focuses on the important role of wellbeing, empowerment, belonging and healing programs and how they intertwine with cultural practices and knowledge to ensure our students, staff and community are Strong in Culture and Strong in Spirit in a culturally safe way.

4. Aboriginal Spirituality 

This concurrent theme focuses on the continual relationship and responsibility to care for our place and all things in our place. It transcends through Country in many facets of landscapes, stories, songs, language and relationships to give strength to one’s identity and direction to walk in two worlds in all its sacredness.

NESA Accreditation

Completing the CSNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference 2024 Spirit on Country: Learning Together, Then, Now and Always will contribute to 8 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Aboriginal Education Aboriginal and Supporting Aboriginal Students addressing standard descriptor 2.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Message Stick

The Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Conference Message Stick is making a journey across the Armidale Catholic Schools Diocese starting at St Mary’s Catholic Church Walgett for Mass to share the message of the conference Spirit on Country: Learning Together, then, now & always with our parish community.

Accommodation

Whilst Tamworth does have a variety of accommodation options, be sure to book as early as possible for your most favourable option. Below are a few options for accommodation; for more selection, please look at Booking.com.

Option 1: Location close to the TRECC

CH Apartments Ringers Road, Tamworth – 02 57129700
Golden Guitar Motor Inn – Ringers Rd, Tamworth – 67622999
City Lights Caravan – 612-628 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth – 67657664
Studio 367 Guest House – 367 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth – 0400 364 430

Option 2: Budget

Tamworth City Motel – 350-356 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth – 67659258
Motel 359-359 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth
Stockmans Motel – 2-24 Spains Lane, Kingswood – 67658525
EconoLodge Savannah Park – 559-597 Burgmanns Lane, Tamworth – 67657922

Option 3: Premium

Powerhouse Hotel Tamworth by Rydges – 248 Armidale Road, Tamworth
Quality Inn Ashby House – 83-85 Ebsworth St, Tamworth – 67620033
CH Boutique Hotel – 52 Brisbane St, Tamworth – 02 57129700
Best Western Sanctuary Inn – 293 Marius St, Tamworth – 67662903
Best Western All Settlers Motor Inn – 191 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth – 67621566

Getting to Tamworth

There are multiple options when deciding how to make your way to Tamworth, NSW.

Drive – It is approximately a 5-hour journey from Sydney, 4 hours from Newcastle and 6 hours from Wollongong.
Fly – There are regular flight services to and from Sydney through Qantas. The flight time is approximately 1 hour.
Train – The Armidale XPLORER train runs daily between Sydney and Tamworth.

Accommodation discount

The All Settlers Best Western in Tamworth is offering hotel corporate rates to all Spirit on Country Conference attendees. To access these rates please mention that you are a Spirit on Country attendee when booking over the phone.

Best Western All Settlers Motor Inn – 191 Goonoo Goonoo Rd, Tamworth – 67621566

The Econo Lodge Gateway welcomes all visitors to Tamworth for the 2024 Spirit of Country Conference. Fully licensed bar and kitchen and well appointed rooms, we are located 5 mins from the TRECC. Use link below or call (02) 6765 7022 to book discounted rates.

Use the Econo Lodge Discount

2024 Sponsor Details

An ACU education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of humandignity, and advancement of the common good.

We aim to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real-world problems, develop their own search for meaning and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. This is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships or volunteering opportunities.

High-impact research – with social, cultural and economic benefits – is core to our institution. Our research and enterprise activities develop innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good. Through ethically informed research we deliver positive change across ACU, industry, community and government.

We foster academic collaboration and engage with local and international partners to enable the exchange of knowledge and skills and develop dynamic educational and research initiatives. We build healthy social partnerships, assisting communities in actively shaping initiatives that directly impact them.

ACU is a university for everyone. Like all Catholic institutions, the university is inclusive and supportive of everyone, every day – regardless of their faith, tradition or circumstance.

ACU is a young university making a significant impact. Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide* and in the top 10 Catholic universities**, we’re also a leader in employability with 95 per cent of our graduates employed***. The university has seven campuses around Australia, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus – ACU Online.

*Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Percentage calculated as ACU’s world rank as a proportion of the total number of universities in the world: International Handbook of Universities 2019, Palgrave MacMillan.

** Based on International Federation of Catholic Universities members ranked on Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024

*** Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal 2023, overall employment for domestic undergraduate students

Visit the Australian Catholic University website

Watch the campus video

At Woods, we firmly believe in safeguarding our planet and securing a brighter future for our children through sustainable practices.

Our commitment to environmental preservation is an integral part of our company culture, and we are constantly striving to reduce our environmental impact by adopting renewable energy sources, harvesting rainwater, partnering with like-minded suppliers, and implementing recycling and waste reduction practices.

In addition to our commitment to sustainability, we also profoundly respect Australia’s First Peoples and have incorporated Indigenous artwork into our product range. By including Indigenous artwork in our school furniture, we add a unique cultural dimension and provide an opportunity to educate children about the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.

Woods has, and always will, prioritise people above everything else. Whether it’s our dedicated staff, valued customers, children benefiting from our furniture, trusted suppliers, or the broader community, their well-being and satisfaction are at the forefront of our focus.

Our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, ethical operations, and unwavering integrity is at the core of everything. We firmly believe that businesses have a responsibility not only to deliver quality products and services but also to contribute positively to the communities and environments in which they operate.

We take great pride in our position as Australia’s leading designer and manufacturer of premium school furniture. We invite you to join us in our commitment to safeguarding our planet and nurturing the next generation.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

Nick Delic
Director

Visit the Woods Furniture website

At Interface, our vision for reconciliation is for all Australians to value, celebrate and learn from the history and cultural significance of the land and the Traditional Custodians of it. We understand our role in contributing to the development of a healthy natural environment and productive communities – and in doing this we will contribute to a sustainable future for all.

Interface has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, and as part of that philosophy, holds the belief that business organisations wield the power to influence change for good.

In 2019 we took the first steps on our Reconciliation Action Plan. As part of that plan, we journeyed to, and connected with, schools in regional, rural and remote communities across Australia.

Learn more about our plan below.

Visit the Interface website

UniSuper is one of Australia’s largest super funds, helping to shape retirement savings for our members for over 40 years. We have more than 647,000 members* from around Australia. With over $139 billion* in funds under management, we’re passionate about helping shape the future of our members.

UniSuper is the place for brilliant thinkers and passionate people to come together, sharing in a wealth of wisdom and collective know-how. So, whether you’re in the know, or seeking to grow, with UniSuper you’re part of a collective, working together for a better tomorrow.

Look forward to a retirement that doesn’t cost the earth with Money magazine’s Best Pension Fund 2024 and Best Growth Super Product 2024. Look Forward. Think Great.

Visit the UniSuper website

The University of New England (UNE) is located in Armidale on the New England Tablelands. It was formed in 1938 as the New England University College, a College of the University of Sydney. UNE became fully independent in 1954, celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. UNE pioneered teaching to external students by correspondence, making UNE Australia’s most experienced provider of distance and online education. UNE’s focus is on our student’s future, providing them with a personal and flexible approach to learning. We offer more than 200 courses at undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and higher degree research levels with options to study online or on campus. UNE offers a stimulating learning environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students offering a resource centre, Oorala, to provide ongoing support and advice to our indigenous students.

Visit the University of New England website

The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch represents more than 32,000 teachers, principals and professional, administrative and operational staff in non-government schools, early childhood centres and post-secondary colleges. We are committed to fostering excellence in education, advocating for fair salaries and working conditions, professional development, and a just, thriving learning environment for all. Our mission is to empower and support our members, who shape the future of education.

Visit the IEU: Independent Education Union website

2024 is a very special year for Teachers Health as we celebrate 70 years supporting the health and wellbeing of our members. Set up as the health fund for teachers by teachers, Teachers Health now covers over 400,000 lives and has the privilege of being the only health fund in Australia dedicated to caring for the education community.

While many things have changed since 1954, one thing remains the same. Our members are at the heart of everything we do and we’re proud to support their health and wellbeing in everyday ways and when it matters most.

Teachers Health is honoured to support the 2024 Catholic Schools NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Conference and believes in the transformative power of education to bridge gaps and build strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

Find out what we can do for you at teachershealth.com.au or call us on 1300 727 538.

Visit the Teacher’s Health Insurance website

The Friends of Myall Creek raise awareness of the Myall Creek Massacre, to understand better the truth of our shared history.

Friends of Myall Creek embraces all of us in the journey of reconciliation between Aboriginal and other Australians.

There is an elected national committee, half Aboriginal, half other, where the Aboriginal voice has the final word.There are also Friends of Myall Creek groups in Sydney and Armidale, open to all (why not start your own – see below).

Though only one of the many massacres of the Frontier Wars, Myall Creek was the only time those responsible were charged and hung, the court records irrefutable evidence of not just this massacre but also how commonplace massacres were.

Its unique place in our history was acknowledged by the building of a Myall Creek Memorial at the site, unveiled on 10th June 2000.

Phase two consisting of a cultural space with an amphitheatre, Aboriginal garden and upgraded facilties was completed in 2021.

Phase three, the world class educational and cultural centre, has DA approval and is awaiting funding.
The Federal and NSW State Governments have added the site to their National Heritage Lists. Myall creek is an accredited charity, and an audited body with tax deductible status.

A commemoration is held annually at the site each June long weekend.

Why not join us?

Visit the Friends of Myall Creek website

The Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council’s vision is to represent its members and the wider Aboriginal community in its aim to protect their heritage, preserve their culture and foster their best interests.

We successfully accomplish this by creating our own opportunities and building pride, self-esteem, respect and financial stewardship for present and future generations whilst using the assets of land, people and culture.

Visit the Tamworth Land Council website

 

A non-profit organisation based in the New South Wales town of Moree. We strive to provide members of our local Aboriginal Community with quality Medical Care and Support Programs.

Visit the Pius X Aboriginal Corporation - Moree website

Priceline Pharmacy Tamworth is committed to providing Expert Advice and Exceptional Service to all our valued Customers!

Visit the Priceline Tamworth website

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This event is a collaboration between Catholic Schools NSW and Armidale Catholic Schools.