NAIDOC Week 2025 at Trinity | The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy

Each year, National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week unfortunately falls during the school holidays (6-13 July, 2025), but this hasn’t stopped Trinity from marking the week with activities across the School upon students’ return, across all campuses. 

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for students to learn about and celebrate First Nations cultures, achievements, and histories. This year’s theme was ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. 

Addressing Quad, Mr Chris Wyatt shared some of the exciting things happening in the world of Trinity, to take further steps towards Trinity’s Reconciliation Commitment Plan, based on Reconciliation Australia’s established themes of Respect, Relationships, and Opportunities.

Central Australia Immersion 

A group of 20 Year 6 students and six staff recently returned from Trinity’s partner schools Murray Downs and Alekaenge – approximately 3.5 hours north of Alice Springs – where they have had the opportunity to develop personal connections. 

 

Cross Traffic – The Delmar Gallery 

From June—August, Trinity’s own Delmar Gallery is exhibiting ‘Cross Traffic: Art from Ali Curung, Ampilatwatja, Epenarra, Tennant Creek & Utopia’. Featuring art and artists from the Barkly Region – the same region as Trinity’s partner schools – the exhibition presents an intersection of histories with a keen sense of place, memory, and myth. 

Learn more about the exhibition. 

“Trinity is intent on establishing connections with First Nations communities and seeking to deepen them,” said Mr Wyatt in his address. “Through these connections, we are learning to listen and learn, which in turn is leading to a deeper appreciation … an appreciation of similarity, of difference, of uniques perspectives, a knowledge of Country that most of us simply miss, and a deeper understanding of how colonisation has interrupted the natural connection to Country that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have had throughout millennia.” 

Mr Wyatt concluded by encouraging students to consider their connections with First Nations peoples and cultures. 

“As Australians interested in Reconciliation, it is our responsibility to find and deepen connections.” 

“As we belatedly celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week, let’s actively seek to celebrate and appreciate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples by making a connection.” 

Trinity’s Field Studies Centre sits on the land of the Jerrinja, Wandi Wandi, and Wandandian peoples. Mr Tim Knowles, Head of the Field Studies Centre, says that it has always been a priority for the Field Studies Program (FSP) to establish a strong relationship with the traditional owners of the land where the campus sits. 

During NAIDOC Week, Elder Aunty Theresa delivered a special Welcome to Country for students participating in the Term 3 Residential Program. The boys also learnt about the significance of NAIDOC Week, the importance of Reconciliation, 

“We live out Trinity Grammar School’s commitment to Reconciliation each term on the Field Studies Program,” says Mr Knowles. “We engage with (capital ‘C’) Community and provide our boys with an opportunity to learn more about ways that traditional owners interact with this ‘place’ that the boys will call home for a term in Year 9: the same land upon which the Aboriginal people educated their children and young people for over a millennia.” 

 

During his address to Quad, Mr Wyatt shared excerpts of a prayer for the Next Generation, written by Mikenzie Ling, a proud Wiradjuri woman. 

 

Creator God, 

From the first hovering, you have dwelt in this place.   

Since the empty deep was spoken into light, and there was evening and there was morning, you have been present. 

As darkest nights have slipped into soft dawns, and as proud dancing has seeped gently from mourning, you have been here with us. You have been good. 

Creator God, 

As we look to the next generation, we pray they would be strengthened by the groundwork of their Elders and rise to honour the shared vision of First Nations communities. 

As they carry the torch and now shape the future, Lord let them be guided by the wisdom you have passed down through First Nations ancestors, and continue to build a legacy of unity, respect and self-determination 

Creator God, 

In loving-kindness you have dwelt and still dwell, in this place.  

Bind us ever closer as we now walk forward together, honouring where we have come from and looking boldly to the next generation. 

Amen.