Henry Kendall High School invited Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP to place his handprint in the Cooinda Room, which contains the handprints of well-known First Nations leaders from around the country, including those of Charles Perkins, Gail Mabo, Archie Roach and Ernie Dingo.

Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP says that he is honoured and humbled by the invitation to place his handprint in the Cooinda Room at Henry Kendall High School.

“It is a great honour to be asked to place my handprint in the Cooinda Room at Henry Kendall High School. There have been some remarkable and powerful First Nations leaders that have come before me and placed their handprints in this place. I am truly humbled to now have placed my handprint alongside theirs and do not take this privilege lightly”. Dr Reid said.

“This room is a safe space and a symbol of inspiration to many of the Indigenous students and teachers at Henry Kendall High School. It serves as an educational resource for all the students and communicates the rich cultural history and connection First Nations people have with this country”. Dr Reid said.

“I was very proud to know that students at Henry Kendall High School are provided with such deep and significant learning opportunities about our First Nations peoples and I congratulate the school, the principal and teachers on this”. Dr Reid said.

Dr Reid also took part in a yarning circle with Liesl Tesch MP, Member for Gosford, Henry Kendall High School Principal, Mr Andrew Backhouse, Cooinda Cultural Coordinator, Aboriginal Studies and English Teacher, Ms Lisa Selsby and First Nations students from the high school.

“I really enjoyed listening to the stories students had about their background and their families. It was also touching to hear stories about family connections that were discovered between students at the school”. Dr Reid Said.

“I gave students an outline of my Aboriginal background and the work I will undertake to better recognise and represent First Nations people in our country’s decision-making processes as part of the new Federal Albanese Labor Government”. Said Dr Reid.

“Having met and listened to the First Nations students at Henry Kendall High School, I am assured that this generation will be a cohort of strong leaders of the future”. Said Dr Reid.

Member for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch MP says it was an absolute honour to be a part of this moment in history.

“It was an absolute honour to be invited to put my handprint on the wall. It is also a privilege for Gordon and I to be able to share our insights into future changes in NSW and Australia that will impact young Aboriginal people and their families. 

As a retired Aboriginal studies teacher, it was a joy to return to the classroom and speak with young leaders who are incredibly proud of their Aboriginal identity.”

“It gives me confidence moving forward that Australia and our community will be strong and respectful of our heritage with these future leaders.”

Cooinda Cultural Coordinator and Aboriginal Studies and English Teacher, Ms Lisa Selsby spoke about the importance of the Cooinda Room to all students and how special it was to have Dr Reid and Ms Tesch visit.

“Linda Burney once said - ‘Within the Aboriginal community – because we’ve had such a story of separation and removal – if a child comes back, that place is found. It’s a cultural thing. That place is waiting for you.’ Cooinda is that place, it is a home within a school. For our students the children have come back and found each other and in three separate occasions families have been reunited simply through sharing stories. Cooinda is a place that has waited for them and it is really special to see, especially when our students begin calling each other ‘bruz, ‘sis’ and ‘cuz’ and when they leave they all remain in contact with each other, making mob strong through all the laughter, tears and stories that happen every day. I would like to think Cooinda is part of the healing. It is a space where anything you want to say is said and discussed without judgement. This gives students the confidence to have a voice and to not be afraid to speak about historical, national, personal and school issues that arise. Cooinda means ‘happy place’ and the room is a powerful space, if Cooinda’s walls could talk it would have the most amazing stories about Country you could imagine.” Ms Selsby said.

“Our kids are leaders because Cooinda has meant safety and connection, a place to be heard and a place that has been shared now for generations of students over the 30 years since it was envisioned and established by Gavi Duncan and Alan Herring, their legacy lives on through the teachers and the students and anyone who connects with Cooinda.” Said Ms Selsby.

“Marion Wright Edelman once said – ‘What you can’t see, you can’t be.’ For Cooinda students just knowing that leadership, on any level, is a possibility affirms but also sparks those dreams and ambitions that we know the kids have. To know Dr Gordon Reid won but to also have the courage to face a political establishment and then to maintain the tenacity and perseverance needed to achieve what he did is such a powerful example to our students. For him to have taken the time to yarn with our Cooinda students will mean a lot to them because they felt acknowledged, important and hence respected. Every leader is a symbol of determination and hope for a better, more equal and just future. As Gordon said on the day of his visit ‘On the shoulders of giants’, all of the giants of the past and present become the seeds of hope for all students. After his visit the students were chatting amongst themselves and kept saying to each other “Imagine if I became Prime Minister!’, and this is how it begins.” Ms Selsby said.

ENDS