ya pulingina (Welcome) to St Mary’s College

The location of St Mary’s College has a rich history that began long before the completion of the first buildings on this site in 1868. For more than 40,000 years, the muwinina people, of the South-East Nation, lived on and cared for this land. They had a deep understanding of the land and seasons and they passed on their wisdom down through the generations.

The elevated outlook of this site provided the muwinina people with an expansive view of timtumili minanya (The River Derwent) which they used for its saltwater resources. Nearby, the nipaluna (Hobart) rivulet provided a key source of fresh water flowing from kunanyi (Mount Wellington).

The vegetation on this site provided a home to many native animals which the muwinina people used for food and clothing; such as timita (possum) and payathanima (wallaby). They also used their knowledge of patrula (fire) to manage this land and keep it healthy.

Unfortunately, due to the impact of colonisation and invasion, the muwinina people are no longer here but their legacy lives on. The Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people continue to have a deep connection to this land and all of lutruwita (Tasmania). The St Mary’s College community is grateful to the palawa people for sharing their culture, stories and wisdom with us, in particular our First Nations students.

We, at St Mary’s College, acknowledge that this land was not ceded to us by the muwinina people; this place always was, and always will, be Aboriginal land.

Reflective Questions

What is a special place that you have a connection to?
Think about the connection of the muwinina and Palawa people to this area of nipaluna (Hobart)
Look at the hills you can see in the distance. The muwinina people knew the shape and position of these same hills.
Can you imagine what nipaluna (Hobart) would have looked like before the British arrived?
Imagine the muwinina people watching the first British people sail up the river. What do you think they thought when they saw the sailing ships?

Reflection

Ode to a Gathering Place

We walk barefoot to the gathering place, of our own true country, to a space embraced by our Creator, there our hearts can grow in stillness.

Then by the Spirit we are nurtured, and the hidden spring within us is revealed, making us one with the silence, the mystery and wonder of all creation.

Then in the quiet of the night, the silent music of the stars fill us, and we hear the whisperings of the sacred songs, another revelation of the Spirit, gently saying “All is of the ancient Dreaming”. Elizabeth Pike

First Nations Sites Around the College

As you complete the Reflection Walk, look out for other sites with a connection to First Nations people. Even the stone of our buildings comes from the land of the palawa people.