Whilst some students were out at the BRIDGES to Country Camp, the alternate groups who were onsite at the College participated in an Immersion Program. The program was designed to provide students with an opportunity to engage with a variety of learning experiences to expand their knowledge and appreciation of First Nations culture. Over the two days, students participated in a range of workshops providing them with a great springboard to launch into the remainder of the BRIDGES to Country program. With the mission to create a life of peace and dignity for all human beings, while protecting the planet and its diversities and wonders, students experienced a Virtual Reality workshop showcasing Indigenous Australia, took time to reflect and make notes, shared stories and watched the Indigenous film, ‘Kanyini’. Throughout the immersion they focused on learning with wonder, leading with courage and living with compassion.

The stand out activity during the immersion was the completion of a collaborative art installation, ‘Wominjeka’, which will be displayed in the College grounds in the coming weeks. For thousands of years ‘Wominjeka’ has been the common greeting for the traditional owners of Melbourne. It is commonly translated as ‘Welcome’, but it also means ‘To Come with Purpose’, particularly fitting at our College.