The ceremony was conducted by proud Dja Dja Wurrung man Damien Saunders who spoke to the school’s pupils, parents and teachers about the importance of acknowledging and respecting Indigenous culture.

Mr Saunders said a smoking ceremony was practiced to acknowledge his ancestors and pay respect to the land, with the smoke believed to have healing and cleansing properties.

“This ceremony was the new beginning through the old for tomorrow’s youth,” he said.

School captains Ari Scheltema and Lola Daffy were told they had leadership in their spirits and should continue to retell the story to their friends and families so that Dja Dja Wurrung culture could live on.

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the installation of a new flag pole provided through the state government to fly the Aboriginal flag.