Acknowledging Country

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.

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.