Acknowledgement of Country

By Bianca, Year 7

In the heart of Wonnarua land, where the gum trees swayed like dancers in the wind, there was a river known for its whispers. The Elders said it carried the voices of ancestors, guiding those who chose to listen. 

Maria had always been curious about the world around her, eager to learn from the land and its stories. She often sat by the river bank, dipping her fingers into the cool water, feeling its movement like a heart beat beneath her skin. 

One evening, as the golden sun stretched its last light across the horizon, Maria heard a whisper – not the usual rustling of wind or water, but something clearer, more deliberate. It spoke of a lost path, hidden deep within the hills, where wisdom lay waiting for those brave enough to seek it. 

Determined, Maria followed the river’s guidance. She walked through thick brush and over uneven ground, using the lessons her elders had taught her. Watch the betters of the birds, listen to the trees, trust the rhythm of the earth. 

Finally, she reached an old stone circle, overgrown with moss and time. At its centre stood a carved rock, etched with symbols she recognized – stories of her people, of resilience, of knowledge passed through generations. 

Maria understood why the river called. It wasn’t just about finding the lost path, but remembering its lessons, ensuring they weren’t forgotten. She sat, tracing the carvings with her fingers, committing them to memory. 

From that day on, Maria became a Storyteller, sharing the wisdom of the land, the river, and the ancestors. She taught young ones to listen – not just with their ears, but with their hearts, so that the stories of Wonnarua would never fade. 

And the river kept whispering, knowing its wisdom was safe with her.