Acknowledging Country

Southern Cross University acknowledges the First Peoples on whose Lands our campuses are located.

Why Acknowledge Country?

An Acknowledgement of Country is a mark of respect that can be given by anyone and an important part of our Reconciliation process that we all have the responsibility to foster through our teaching, research and community activities. Staff and students acknowledge local Indigenous communities at the start of functions, lectures, in-house training, workshops, conferences, seminars and meetings. Through an Acknowledgement, we show awareness of and respect for the living cultures and spiritual connections to Country held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and provide a culturally safe environment for our students, staff and communities.

image of card

Simple Acknowledgement of Country

There are no set protocols or wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, though a simple statement may take the following form:

I acknowledge and pay respect to the ancestors and descendants of the Lands upon which we work, meet and study. I am mindful that within and without the buildings, the Land always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Specific Acknowledgement of Country

The following wording provides a guide for specifically acknowledging people from local Aboriginal communities within the Southern Cross University footprint using the table below.

I acknowledge and pay respect to the _________ people of the ________ Nation on whose Land we work, meet and study. I recognise the significant role the past and future Elders play in the life of the University and the region. I am mindful that within and without the buildings, the Land always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

University campus location Peoples  (Clans) Language Group/Nation
Gold Coast, Airport Drive, Bilinga, QLD

 

 Yugambeh 

Byron Bay, Ewingsdale Road, NSW

 Arakwal Bundjalung

Lismore, Military Road, NSW

 Widjabal Bundjalung
Coffs Harbour, Hogbin Drive, NSW   Gumbaynggirr
Sydney CBD, Philip Street, NSW Gadigal (or Cadigal) Eora (or Lyora)
Melbourne CBD, Little Collins Street, VIC Wurundjeri Kulin 
Perth CBD, Hay Street East Perth, WA Wadjak Noongar Boojar

Acknowledgement of Origins Artwork

The 'Acknowledgement of origins' artwork was created in partnership with Agency in Design and Widjabul artist Sheldon ‘Sj’ Harrington from the Bundjalung Nation on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Agency in Design is an ontological design company that utilises Indigenous Knowledge informed Design principles to create engaging, culturally respectful designs that resonate with communities and clients alike.

The artwork is design to sit with the Acknowledgement to Country not replace it and should be accompanied by the below description and does not replace the acknowledgement.

We acknowledge Widjabal Country as the Country where Southern Cross University originated and grew, and from where it continues to grow. It seeded the growth of our Gumbaynggirr Campus in Coffs Harbour, our Yugambeh Campus in Coolangatta and it planted the seeds to transform the Countries we are on.

 Understanding our origins will make each step into the future a more purposeful one, leading all to transform tomorrow.