Daylesford school flies rainbow flag for bullied youth
Daylesford Primary School has joined a handful of country schools to fly the rainbow flag in support of youth who are often the target of bullying.
Education
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A primary school in Daylesford, which hosts the biggest queer festival in regional Australia, has pledged to fly a rainbow flag to support the LGBTIQA+ community.
Unveiled on Thursday at Daylesford Primary School, the rainbow pride flag will take its place alongside the Australian and Indigenous flags on school days.
The school is among a handful of country schools embracing the Raising Rainbows initiative which donates flag poles and flags to foster acceptance of youth bullied because of their sexuality.
The flag program is administered by the ChillOut Festival, the biggest and longest- running queer regional festival in Australia.
The festival is backed by Hepburn Shire in recognition of the shire’s diverse community and their contribution to the economy.
Principal Brett Millott said the rainbow flag was supported by the school which has nearly 300 students.
“By raising the rainbow flag, we are sending an important message of welcome, inclusivity and respect to members of our LGBTIQA+ community, both within our school and beyond,” he said.
“Sadly, 80 per cent of bullying of LGBTIQA+ youth occurs at school. That needs to stop because the most important thing in children’s lives is to feel safe, loved and supported.”
He said the unveiling was low key because of COVID-19. However, a bigger school celebration was timed for the 24th ChillOut Festival in late February.
Raising Rainbows committee member Belinda Brain welcomed Daylesford Primary to the program, which so far has donated flags to schools at Taradale, Gisborne, Trafalgar, Castlemaine and Daylesford Secondary College.
“Raising awareness, educating communities and ultimately contributing to the reduction of LGBTIQA+ related bullying in regional schools and communities is what this is about,” she said.
Daylesford Primary School council president Russell Newton said the flag told LGBTIQA+ youth, and all youth in general, that the school was a safe place where every life was important and unique.
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