ATESOL ACT acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways where we live and gather – the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, who, for many thousands of years, have occupied and nurtured this country and its beautiful Murrumbidgee River and Brindabella Ranges.

We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We are especially thankful for the rich lessons that, as educators, we can learn from First Nations’ traditional and emerging cultures, knowledge, languages, histories and ways of learning here and across Australia.

We wish to express our sadness for the hardship, harm and hurt that has been part of colonial occupation of this country, and our sincere hope that, together, we can build a future of healing and harmony.

We are very sorry that the Voice Referendum has been lost.

We pledge to find ways to work to heal any hurt and damage that this has caused,

and to continue our commitment as educators and individuals to strive towards a positive future.