SRC Winners: Primary School

I dive into the banks of the river and my senses come alive. I look up and breathe in the scent of the canopy, the eucalyptus trees that have nurtured and looked after the river that my ancestors have been bathing and swimming in for thousands of years. I wriggle my toes in the majestic cool waters and dive my body into the memories of the river.

“Nagangbi, Bindi,” I hear a voice salutate me, softer than a whisper, but stronger than a thousand words. A shiver runs down my spine. What was that voice? How did it know my name? I rise above the water, and I see a leaf gently falling into the shining surface of the river. The sound of it falling is like a melody, soft but worth a thousand diamonds. When it lands, the river shines bright, brighter than all of the stars in the galaxy. My big brown eyes widen. It makes me truly believe that our country is so beautiful, a library of stories and memories of the past.

I descend back into the waters and I hear another voice this time, rough as gravel but tender and loving as a father. I hear him usher to me softly, “Bindi, never stop dreaming, your dreams will take you on a journey of happiness, and joy”. I ascend atop the glimmering water, and ponder thoughtfully…. What are these voices? Are they the voices and memories of my ancestors who have come before me? I think about Uncle, with his eyes that twinkled like glass in the morning sun, about how he taught me that each ripple of the river will lead me to the voices of my ancestors and members of my mob from the past.

My body relaxes and I slowly manoeuver it onto my back so I can float in tranquility. Then, I hear so many serene and idyllic voices expressing to me in unison, “Those who lose dreaming are lost.”

“Wow,” I think to myself, fully mesmerised from the magic of the river and its enthralling memories and voices. Finally, I optimistically step out of the water with hope in my heart and my soul full of the love from my ancestors.

Dear Diary,

Last night, I had a strangely peculiar dream I want to talk about.

When I began to shut my eyes, my body felt like it was lifting itself above, into the skies, my thoughts picturing themselves into a special place far away. Then, I realised I had dived deep into the Dreamtime.

I was sitting down on a stout log, in a meeting place. I darted my eyes at every position, observing what this Country truly has to offer. Birds, reptiles, trees, soil, rocks… I was soaking it all in, imagining living in such beauty like this.

Hello! You seem to have come to the Dreamtime! an Elder exclaimed. I swiftly turned my head to that voice, to find one of the wise, local Dharug Elders.

Would you like to stand up and walk with me? I followed his orders. We ventured out of the meeting place, to where he began to chat with me. He talked to me about the ways of people connecting with each other and learning from their Country. His words weighed upon me as I soaked in the fascinating surroundings, wishing one day I could permanently live here.

I saw familiar faces, that even I knew, having conversations with the Dharug people and learning from their culture and language, like a sense of reconciliation. Even the animals here looked happy and content as well, living in such a perfect and peaceful place.

We arrived at another empty meeting place at the opposite end, as he told me to sit down on any log. He began to tell me the importance of Country, how it holds the Dharug stories, it being alive with spirits that guide us with our everyday lives, and how we can learn from it. I looked down at the deep soil and felt a subtle connection to it, reminding me of a close relative, always there for you, and always there to learn more from.

As the sky grew darker, I was invited to join a sweeping ceremony nearby, which I accepted. People from all ages surrounded a meeting place, and one by one we were cleansed from our negative energy. The children next to me were talking to me about the history of their Country, their stories and knowledge that passes on, and how we all still need to recognise and act upon the reconciliation and unity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Before I left, the same Elder came up to me and handed me a totem, with a dolphin carved onto it. His final message was, I thank you for learning from us, and our Country, and connecting to us. Here is a gift to remind you to embrace your inner strength, and to enjoy life. Goodbye, mittigar.

I woke up, in my bed, questioning myself about what just happened. I seemed to have remembered everything, and I really began to have more of an open mind to the hard-working Dharug people, their ways of connection, language, reconciliation, and even a more open mind to Country.

My parents are definitely going to get a huge lecture from me!

In the garden of time Ancient grains stand tall like Elders. They whisper through the wind One bite, one story. Each leaf holds a date, Imprinted in its veins Like a secret code of ancestry.

History grows inside of him. The past blossoms beside the present, Like a time lapse in slow motion. The soil remembers. It holds footprints of ancestors, And the roots stretch deep into memory.

The time of Earth is sacred. Hands hold seeds, And seeds hold stories. With all those around, We share, we learn, we listen. Country teaches us through flavour, Through texture, Through biodiversity.

Moving swiftly across the land, Turning left or right Which one to choose? Different years, different times, Divergent flavours. Each one a lesson In ecology and culture.

He picks up the Illawarra plum, Dark as midnight, Glossy like a polished stone. He tastes the air of centuries. His spirit is transported To realms of consciousness and kinship. Different plums, different feelings, Different times coming alive.

He chews slowly. The taste lingers strong Scarcely sweet, but full of meaning. It’s not just food. It’s a connection. It’s photosynthesis turned into memory.

Returning to the garden of cadence, He sees lakes of lima beans, Rivers of riberries, Mountains of muntries. Each one a native treasure A gift from Country. Resolving the taste One bite, one aspiration.

His mouth holds a lingering flavour Like a song stuck in your head. Different items, different savour, Different pulses coming vigorously. Transported to the garden of time once more, He feels vibrant, aware, proficient.

He continues to eat, Discovering modern herbs anew Lemon myrtle, wattleseed, bush tomato. Each one a teacher. They speak in flavour, in texture, in scent. They teach him about resilience, About adaptation, About the ecosystem he belongs to.

He learns from Country Not just with his brain But with his tongue, his nose, his fingertips. He learns through taste, Through touch, Through curiosity.

Feeding connection is more than eating. It’s understanding. It’s respect. It’s knowing that every plant, Every berry, every grain has a role, A story, a purpose. He is a part of this cycle. He is not above it. He is within it. Country feeds him, And he feeds it back With care, with learning, with gratitude.

In the garden of time, I grow too. Not just taller, but wiser. Because when I eat from Country, I don’t just fill my stomach, I fill my spirit.

In the heart of Australia, where the red earth meets the endless sky, lies a story as old as time itself. This land, rich with the whispers of ancient ancestors, holds the legacy of the First Nations people. Their stories, etched i11to the rocks and sung by the winds, speak of a deep connection to the land, a bond that has endured for millennia.

Reconciliation is not just a word; it is a journey-a path we walk together, hand in hand, towards understanding and healing. It is about acknowledging the past, with all its pain and triumphs, and learning from it to build a better future, The legacy, of the First Nations people is a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, wisdom, and culture. By embracing this legacy, we honour their contributions and recognize the importance of their place in our shared history.

As we reflect on reconciliation, we must listen to the stories of the Elders, the custodians of knowledge and tradition. Their voices can-y the weight of history and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Through their teachings, we learn the value of respect, community, and the sacredness of the land. These lessons are not just for the First Nations people but for all Australians. They remind us that healing our country begins with understanding and respect for one another.

Reconciliation is a call to action. It urges us to confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where equality and justice prevail. It is about creating spaces where the voices of the First Nations people are heard and valued, where their rights are upheld, and their cultures celebrated. This journey requires courage, empathy, and a commitment to change.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we must also recognize the healing power of the land. The earth, with its ancient wisdom, offers solace and renewal. By caring for the land, we honour the traditions of the First Nations people and ensure that future generations can enjoy its beauty and bounty. Healing our country means healing our relationship with the land and each other.

As we walk this path of reconciliation, let us carry with us the lessons of the past and the hope for a united future. Let us learn from the legacy ofthe First Nations people and work together to heal our country. In doing so, we create a nation where all cultures are respected, alt voices are heard, and all people can thrive.

Reconciliation is not a destination but a journey-a journey that we must unde1iake together, with open hearts and minds. By learning from the legacy of the past, we can heal our country and build a future where everyone belongs.