The Ruyton Reporter - Spring 2016

12 / 20

12 the ruyton reporter
From our Girls’ Perspective
Coral, Coal and Climate Change
In the Ruyton ReporterAutumn Edition (page 12) we brought
you news of Kathleen Hanson, current Year 12 student and
Sustainability Captain, being awarded Boroondara Young
Citizen of the Year. Kathleen is still busy, this time speaking
alongside three politicians (from the Green, Labor and Liberal
parties) at a forum called Coral, Coal and Climate Change at
the Box Hill Town Hall. Kathleen spoke eloquently about the
environment future generations will inherit and about the
importance of making a difference today. She reminded the
politicians that we are the custodians of the future, and that
‘politicians must do their bit’.
The full video is available here
and Kathleen’s presentation starts at approximately the
14-minute mark. As one observer said: ‘The power of one
young woman [Kathleen] to speak directly and unencumbered
about what really matters [is wonderful.] There needs to be
more of these young voices.’
Children of the Black Skirt
In Semester 1 the Ruyton/Trinity Unit 3 Theatre
Studies Class worked together to put on a
production of Angela Betzien’s Children of the Black
Skirt. The play takes place in a mythical and
timeless Australian orphanage, thus allowing it to
make historical connections with colonial Australia,
penal transportation, the depression, the stolen
generations and post-war immigration. By
touching on defining moments in Australia’s
history as a nation, our class aimed to question the
foundations of our Australian identity and whether
or not the issues presented in the play have been
resolved, or are still occurring in today’s society.
The particular focus throughout the play on the
treatment of Indigenous children in Australia
inspired our class to transform the production into
an initiative, with all proceeds from the production
going to the Melbourne Indigenous Transition
School (MITS). MITS was established by the Tudor
family (Richard Tudor, Former Head Master of
Trinity Grammar School), supporting the transition
of Indigenous students from their home
communities to Melbourne schools, and creating
pathways to greater opportunities. The process of
creating a theatre production and also connecting
to our wider community was an incredible learning
experience for all, making us reflect on whether or
not Australia has evolved in our treatment of our
nation’s First Peoples since the eras presented in
Children of the Black Skirt.Through this production,
awareness and fundraising process, we realised
how lucky we are to have the opportunities
presented to us at Ruyton, and the importance
of service and compassion towards others in our
wider community.
Rose Adams, Year 12
Junior School Community Service Team
What Social Justice Project have you been involved in?
The Junior School Community Service Team has participated in many events this semester. Some of
these include attending the International Women’s Day Breakfast, as well as organising and running
a very successful Community Service Day, with the money going to UN Women.
Tell us about any research and investigations that you have undertaken.
When we attended the Young Leaders’ Day Conference in Term 1, Ms Kate Austin gave an inspiring
speech about her life story and how she has helped people in need. Ms Austin recognised that homeless
people didn’t have access to hygiene products. She also noticed that hotels have lots of mini soaps,
toothbrushes, shampoos and conditioners that go to waste. ‘Pinch-a-poo’ was created, where people
collect hygiene products from hotels and donate them to ‘Pinch-a-poo’ who then give them to people
who are living on the streets.
What have you learned from your research?
We admire Ms Austin because, when she spoke at Young Leaders’ Day and we heard her story, it made us
think about how we can turn something little into something big. She saw a problem and, instead of
walking away from it, she thought deeply and decided to do something to help.
Semester 1 Captains: Phoebe Brown, Ashley Honey, Claudia Perrignon, Year 6