BREAKFAST is not usually the place to discuss social justice issues, but at the annual Justice Focus Breakfast at San Sisto College, Carina, it’s a staple.
On the menu this year for the 100 or more guests was a focus on indigenous perspectives based around the theme “It’s Not Justice If It’s Just Us: United under the Southern Cross”.
Queensland Catholic Education Commission project officer for Indigenous Education Pathways and research officer on the Be-yond Pathways – Parent and Community Engagement Project at Australian Catholic University Leon Appo, Brisbane Catholic Education participation officer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education Joshua Hollingsworth and former student Kiana Charlton, currently studying education at QUT, spoke about their experiences growing up in Australia as indigenous people.
They addressed issues such as where they saw injustice still existing for indigenous people in Australia, what young Australians can do to address this injustice and what indigenous Australians are already doing successfully to address it.
San Sisto justice captain Danielle Hindmarsh said it was a fantastic opportunity to gather with students from other schools and share perspectives and passions.
“It’s good to know that there are lots of other young people working towards a better future,” she said.
San Sisto has been holding the Justice Focus Breakfast for more than 15 years.
Introduced by then assistant principal for religious education (APRE) Karyn O’Reilly, it aimed to bring together students and staff from various Brisbane colleges to focus on particular social justice issues in the social atmosphere of a shared breakfast.
Current APRE Marlene Warnick said about 100 San Sisto students helped prepare themed table decorations, banners and food as well as waitressing and controlling sound and lighting. She said the fact so many students were involved in preparations in the preceding weeks and willing to be at school at 6.15am on a chilly morning, said something about their commitment to social justice.
San Sisto parent Megan Vardanega, attending the breakfast for the second year, said it was a wonderful opportunity for parents to be involved in the college’s social action activities.
“It was a morning of delicious food, pleasant company and inspiring speakers, all with a focus on indigenous issues,” she said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed being part of this wonderful community event.”
