The Marrung Aboriginal Education plan aims to provide all Victorians with an understanding and respect of Koorie culture and foster strong identities for indigenous students within all education services. 

Dimboola Memorial Secondary School’s Kynan Clarke said there was a void in current schooling when it came to Aboriginal culture and Australian history. 

“At school we’re taught great subjects but I always through something was missing,” he said. “The history of my heritage is missing.”

Kynan, who will be school captain next year, said the region had a rich history that was being missed. 

“I’d like to see it implemented that we learn Australian history and understand what has happened in the past and how people were treated many years ago,” he said.

The forum brought together representatives from the Department of Education and Training, Wimmera and Horsham Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated, Horsham North Kinder, Horsham Primary School, Federation University as well as elders, students and teachers. 

The Marrung plan is a 10-year Victorian government initiative designed to create a state where the rich culture, knowledge and experience of Aboriginal Australians is celebrated by all. The plan aims to ensure all indigenous Australians achieve their potential in education and have strong ties to their cultural identity. 

Horsham Primary School’s Chris Walter said he had seen how teaching programs that tied Aboriginal children to their heritage could produce great outcomes.

He said each student who walked into a school had an individual background and family. He said schools must build relationships with all families and cultures.

“Being able to celebrate their cultural background is a bonus for kids,” he said.

“They feel better in class, are more confident and connected to the school. It produces better outcomes.”

The plan prioritises improving the cultural inclusiveness of service providers, increase opportunities for Koorie people to participate in decision making that affects them and help schools to better support Aboriginal students.