A ‘learning circle’ was unveiled this morning to honour our long-standing relationship with the Darug people, the traditional occupants of the lands on which Macquarie is built, and also to pay respects to the elders both past and present.
![Associate Professor Michelle Trudgett and The Hon Michael Egan AO unveiling the plaque. Photo: Chris Stacey](https://www.mq.edu.au/thisweek/archives/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/L_CIRCLE_FEATURE_2-300x174.jpg)
Hosted by the Department of Indigenous Studies (Warawara), the launch event saw Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton joined by members of the Darug nation for the unveiling of the ‘learning circle’, which will be a permanent feature on our campus.
Purposefully built to provide a culturally safe place for yarns, community meetings and other Indigenous events, the sacred space acknowledges the significance of this style of sharing for Aboriginal people as a way of handing down knowledge.
The Jubilee event commenced with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by respected Elder Lexodious Dadd (known as Uncle Lex), followed by a traditional dance performance, and the unveiling of a plaque to mark the continuation of our relationship.
Other speakers included the Head of Warawara, Associate Professor Michelle Trudgett, an Indigenous scholar from the Wiradjuri Nation in Central-West New South Wales, and Auntie Elaine Chapman, a Wiradjuri woman and Elder in Residence at Warawara, who provides cultural support for Indigenous students and staff.