The Grampians

Tuesday/Wednesday October 12/13.

Another bleedin' principals meeting. This one was for new principals who were three years or less in the job. As I am supposed to be doing a report on the mentoring of NAPs, when I return to Ireland, I went along. I could have done with time in school which is really busy with the finishing of the library and purchasing and installation of computers. Anyway, the course gave us time for reflection and finished early on the second day. I was able to visit Mc Kenzie Falls and Reid Lookout as I spent a few hours driving in the picturesque mountains. I finished with a very interesting visit to Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre. This unique centre highlights the history of the region through impressive experiences and displays based upon the Aboriginal cultural heritage and the natural environment of the Grampians National Park. I left with a strong sense of injustice that was done to these people in the name of progress and religion. They were happy and content and had a wonderful lifestyle. Now many of them are dispossessed and the population had been decimated by the diseases and the excesses of so-called civilization. I can’t help comparing the way they were treated to how much better the Maoiri in New Zealand were respected.