LOUISE MARKUS JOINS WITH MARAYLYA PUBLIC SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE NAIDOC WEEK
01-July-2011
Louise Markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie has joined with staff and students from Maraylya Public School in celebrating NAIDOC Week 2011. As part of the event Louise Markus MP presented the school with Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags. This year’s theme is Change: the next step is ours.
“It was fantastic to take part in the celebrations,” Mrs Markus said. “I was contacted by Mrs Leonie Heinrich, a teacher at the school with Aboriginal heritage who informed me of her desire to organise a NAIDOC event.
Mrs Leonie Heinrich recently started at Maraylya Public School and played a major part in organising the school’s NAIDOC celebration.
“It is great that NAIDOC has been included as part of the new curriculum”, Mrs Markus said. “It is important that, whether or not a child has an indigenous background that they are aware of the culture and history of indigenous people.”
Louise Markus strongly supports working with the Aboriginal community to achieve positive results for all Australians.
Ken Wyatt, the Liberal Member for Hasluck made history at the 2010 Federal Election by becoming the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to the House of Representatives. Mrs Markus gave the students at Maraylya Public School copies of Mr Wyatt’s first speech to highlight the significance of his achievements.
“What Ken Wyatt has achieved helps to show that by working together all Australians can achieve their goals regardless of their background,” Mrs Markus said. “Australian culture is built on mateship and events like today’s ceremony really emphasise how important that is.”
NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week 2011 is from 3 to 10 July.
“Australians from all walks of life can come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It was wonderful to participate in the flag raising ceremony and the celebration of NAIDOC Week 2011.” Mrs Markus said.