Reconciliation is not a moment or a gesture. At Burgmann, it is a shared commitment, lived through inclusion, partnership and purposeful action.
During National Reconciliation Week, more than 120 students and staff from Burgmann Anglican School travelled to Parliament House to take part in 1000 Voices, a national choral event that brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to honour truth-telling, remembrance and unity through music.
The event was created by Hazel Davies and OJ Rushton, who have worked for years to bring this vision to life. Their idea was to create a national act of remembrance that recognises those who have died on Country as well as those who have died for Country. The Sturt Desert Pea, long seen as a symbol of resilience and remembrance for First Nations people, was placed alongside the red poppy as part of this national story. This extraordinary event brought together students, elders, dignitaries, community leaders and artists to sing two specially commissioned songs - One and Free and Anthem of the Desert Pea.
Burgmann was invited to contribute a performance and chose For Everyone, a song written for a documentary about Clinton Pryor, a First Nations man who walked 6,000 kilometres from Perth to Canberra to advocate for justice. The lyrics speak of walking together and standing as one. It was a message that matched the purpose of the day.
Director of Music, Nicole Nunan, led Burgmann’s involvement. She arranged the piece for student voices, clapping sticks and cello, and brought together singers from Years 3 to 12 across the Junior, Middle and Senior School choirs. Nicole also worked closely with the original artists to ensure the piece was performed with permission, understanding and care.
Students also learned Auslan to accompany the shared songs. This gesture, offered quietly and respectfully, became a meaningful part of the experience. It reflected the School’s desire to take part in a way that was inclusive and considered, and it added a visible layer to the message being shared.
As Nicole Nunan reflected, “The way students from all year levels came together to sing a song called For Everyone, and the fact that every student had the opportunity to be involved, that was what made it really important.” This wasn’t about standing out. It was about standing together. Reconciliation was present not just in the music, but in the way students were brought into the experience - with care, purpose and genuine inclusion.
The School has supported 1000 Voices since its early stages, with Senior School students attending a pilot choral workshop in 2023, Middle and Senior School Choir students attending artist visits and workshops held at Burgmann in 2024, Middle and Senior School Choir students singing on Stage 88 for Reconciliation Day in 2024, and finally, Junior, Middle and Senior School students forming more than 10 percent of the final 1000 voices choir this year. Burgmann staff and students were thanked personally by organisers, guest performers and dignitaries, including the Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC Governor-General, who later invited the School to sing again at Government House.
Most importantly, students knew they were part of something significant. They understood the story behind the songs, the symbolism of the Sturt Desert Pea, and the importance of raising their voices in unity with others.
At Burgmann, reconciliation is not just something we talk about. It is something we practise through the choices we make, the partnerships we build, and the opportunities we give young people to lead with heart.
Further viewing
To see highlights from the event and hear from organisers, you can watch the ABC’s coverage of 1000 Voices here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/20...