This week is Reconciliation Week. This idea of reconciliation with indigenous people in our country was one I experienced very early on in my life. I grew up in North Queensland and there were quite a few Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people in our community and I was fortunate enough to have several as my friends. I may have mentioned to you before that my mum was not a well educated person as far as formal education is concerned (finished at Year 6, I think), but she was very insightful in so many ways. She shared one of those insights with me one day as I was growing up. Part of my heritage is Scandinavian – Norwegian to be precise, hence the name Borresen. As a youngster, I was fair skinned with bright blonde hair. I had a friend named Robert who was far darker than I in complexion and hair colour. I came inside from playing one day and I had found black dirt and rubbed it all over me, and ground it deeply into my hair to make me dark. Mum asked what I was doing and I told her that I needed to be like Robert so we could play together and so I had made the colour of my skin and hair like his. My mum carefully explained to me that we didn’t have to be the same colour or look the same to be able to play together. We could be different and still enjoy being with one another. 

That experience has stuck with me for my whole life. We don’t have to all be the same, but we do all have to be respectful of what we hold in common as well as our differences. Our students have several opportunities this week, through in-class activities and visiting guests, to focus on that idea. It would do each of us as adults to do the same, I think. 

The Bible writer Paul wrote in a letter to a Christian Church in Galatia in the first century, “ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:28. We are all children of God, regardless of our birthplace, skin colour, race or gender. I hope this week brings us a fresh realisation of that and helps us to build bridges to others who may not share things in common with us and, in particular, find ways to build bridges to our indigenous Australian peoples.. 

Have a great week with your kids, 

Mark B