2000 School Magazine

beyond the classroom

PRAARG

The call for Reconciliation has dominated indigenous and non-indigenous relations over the past decade. While little legislation has been passed in the name of the cause, overwhelming public support for reconciliation was demonstrated in the Corroboree 2000 'Sorry' marches nationwide. On 4 June, members from the BGGS Pro- Reconciliation and Anti-Racism Group (PRAARG), along with 12,000 other Brisbane citizens marched across the Victoria Bridge to affirm their support for reconciliation and a national apology to the stolen generations. In possibly the largest demonstration since the Free EastTimor rallies last year, a mass of people sacrificed their Sunday to show their commitment to the cause. The atmosphere was electric, particularly when the word 'Sorry' was written in the skies over Brisbane and the crowd cheered approvingly. In August various PRAARG members participated in a national competition to meet Nelson Mandela. While the girls were not successful, the exercise of expressing the meaning of 'Reconciliation'in twenty words or less refocused and crystallined the group's central purpose. Year 12 student, Julia Dowsett, wrote that reconciliation was Uniting the separate colours of the past to create a dynamic rainbow of hope for the future. ' Jessica Rudd stated that reconciliation was

the careful act of weaving together the many culturalIy diverse patches of the world to form a global patchwork quilt Eve Cooper designed and painted the BGGS contribution to ANTar's Queensland Paintabanner initiative. The segment of the banner comprised a number of footprints in the form of peace symbols, one side in the Aboriginal flag colours of yellow, red and black and the other in red, white and blue, the colours of the national flag. it signified the need to walk together in peace. The bannerpanel bearing the School's name will form part of a statewide banner to promote the cause of Reconciliation As a result of this ongoing community support, the federal government has announced its plans to continueits funding for the Coundlfor Aboriginal Reconciliation, which was to disband at the end of 2000. This decision will fund the continuation of the increasingly effective journey of healing. However, regardless of government funding, the future of Reconciliation lies in the hands and voices of all Australians. As Mick Dodson, Chairperson of Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, claimed, 'Reconciliation is about far deeper things - it is to do with nation's soul and spirit. Reconciliation is about the blood and flesh of the lives we must lead together not the nuts and bolts of the entitlements as citizens we should all enjoy. ' Please visit PRAARG's website on GroinmorNet for more information about us The year 2000 has been one of the most successful years on record for the Athene Club - the quality of papers presented and the standard and level of dynamic and informed discussion that has followed these has been consistently impressive. Papers presented over the year have been wide-ranging and illustrate the diverse and specialised interests of the Seniors both from Brisbane Grammar and Brisbane Girls Grammar Schools. Topics explored have examined everything from the nature of human consciousness and psychoanalysis, through to the dilemmas associated with the ever-increasing commercialisation of sport. The At hene Club creates a context for presentation and discussion of issues that is informal, yet stimulating, and also offers an ideal opportunity to social ise with the opposite sex over supper. For the first time this year an At hene page has been established on GrammarNet. This covers the origin, nature and aims of the Club and provides an opportunity for all papers presented by nthene . members from this schoolto be published and accessed by all members of the school community. o B Thanks go to Mrs Robyn Colwill and to Mr David Betts from Brisbane Grammar School for their support, encouragement and involvement, and to all members from both schools for making the year 2000 one to remember in the history of the At hene Club. < o . a " in " o lessico Rudd HeudofPRAARG ATHENE

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