Vicki Clark – Co-ordinator of Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (1990-2015) had a dream that all Catholic schools throughout Melbourne would be active change agents for Reconciliation. In 2012 twenty one North Eastern Zone Principals undertook a spiritual and cultural journey to Lake Mungo in NSW. Lake Mungo is a significant landmark and spiritual place for Aboriginal people. Mungo Man and Mungo lady were discovered in the Willandra Lakes at Lake Mungo. The remains are the oldest anatomically modern human remains found in Australia to date, about 40,000 years.

Since this Lake Mungo immersion experience, the Principals of these schools committed to ensure that Reconciliation would be given a high profile in their schools. They were commissioned as FIRE Carriers in a special ceremony on the banks of the Yarra River at ‘Amberley’ in Lower Plenty. Since then, the twenty one schools in the N/E region have in their own way, added a unique value to their school’s curriculum, by commissioning both students (4 x Year 5 students) and teachers, to be actively involved in constructing and upholding their school FIRE carrier covenant. This document states the ways in which they will undertake these actions.

What truly is remarkable and exemplary, is not only that this zone is the only zone in Victoria that has the commitment of all schools, but also the fact that all twenty one schools unite in a special way. Early in each school year following the Commissioning Ceremony of the new FIRE Carriers, the schools have a day where the students and FIRE Carrier teachers come together in a joint day of cultural learning. This is an opportunity to gather and meet each other. They meet Aboriginal community members and elders and learn about the Aboriginal culture of their local area. The number of FIRE Carrier Schools is continuously growing as schools recognise the importance and value of fostering cultural awareness and understanding of our First Nation People. In 2019, there are over 100 FIRE Carrier schools both primary and secondary.

The FIRE carrier initiative has opened many doors for FIRE Carrier schools. These schools have made some special connections with Aboriginal communities, people and organisations. Students and teachers can learn together and the learning experiences are enriched because of the relationships formed. Our students and teachers know that ‘Once a FIRE Carrier always a FIRE Carrier’. They will carry on their commitment to reconciliation beyond their primary school years.

At St Damian’s we take pride in fostering reconciliation through many areas of our curriculum- the Arts, English, Humanities, and Religious Education. We aim to provide many experiences where students are immersed first hand in cultural learning, through meeting Aboriginal community members who share their stories, history and spirituality. Excursions and Incursions with cultural content provide students with real knowledge both historical and contemporary.