On a dewy, peaceful morning, a group of St Stephen’s School members gathered for the official opening of our Yarning Circle at the Kaadadjan Centre. The event had been eagerly anticipated since the completion of the Yarning Circle in 2025 with funds raised over the years through our annual Foundation Gala playing a significant role in advancing the vision for the Kaadadjan Centre, including the creation of this culturally meaningful space.
“When Noongar people across Western Australia say yarning, we are having a yarn, a talk, expressing who you are, shared feelings amongst people who really care for you, just letting it out” explains Elder Maitland Hill who was the key First Nations consultant for the project. “Here at beautiful Kaadadjan Learning Centre, Dwellingup, it’s been my privilege and an honour to work with St Stephen’s School to develop a Yarning Circle, to acknowledge the history of our Noongar people, and share with our koolangkara, and visitors, woman, our yorka and our men to come here to the Yarning Circle and feel the history of this place, where I stand on Wilman country, Wilman boodja.”
Principal Donella Beare, Uniting Church WA moderator Rev David Jackson, Chair of Council John Sobolewksi, our Executive Team, Senior Leadership and Year 12 and 6 Student Captains across both campuses, made the journey to Dwellingup for a truly memorable experience beginning with a traditional smoking ceremony led by Elder George Walley. Surrounded by the sounds of the bush and native wildlife, the burning leaves released cleansing smoke, used to protect the land and its people and to promote spiritual and physical wellbeing.
We were honoured to receive Elder George Walley’s Welcome to Country, where he shared the significance of this place and the stories held in the land. Whilst listening to the Welcome to Country, attendees were able to take in the surroundings of the Yarning Circle. Designed and installed by Yarning Circles WA, with breathtaking carvings by Kenneth Wallam, the space has been thoughtfully created to honour the stories and heritage of the land. Elder Maitland Hill said “It’s a privilege to incorporate my artwork from the dream time and dreaming that identifies the significance as you will see on the Totem poles on the Yarning Circle. These represent our life source, food source, of our Noongar people, how they lived on country. How they survived.”
During the ceremony, guests were treated to a special performance from The Bindjareb Middars, founded by Theo Kearing and his family.
Following the opening, our community shared native bushtucker platters provided by Kuditj Kitchen, bringing people together to enjoy the scenery of Kaadadjan and share stories. One of the most memorable sights was seeing our youngest school captains sitting alongside our eldest, united in the camp kitchen and simply having a yarn. It was a living expression of what this space was created for: community, conversation and cultural connection. In that moment, the purpose of the event came together perfectly.
Year 12 Captain Naamah said “It’s a very calming experience and it was lovely to see. The Dancing and the music was lovely. It created a very peaceful environment and it’s a good place to relax and just have a heart to heart with your friends.”
In the spirit of the day, we were reminded that yarning is a cultural practice that nurtures understanding, respect and shared learning. We look forward to our School community using this space for future learning opportunities and connecting with nature.