College Symbol
It is the emblem of Yirara College and may be seen throughout the College – at the front entrance, on uniforms, cards and flags. The symbolism is not secret, but permission was asked from all the major Aboriginal communities in central Australia before Yirara adopted it. The old men were happy to allow Yirara to use it. [This was done by David Odling-Smee, February – August 1973, who travelled to all the major Aboriginal communities.]
The symbol depicts a campsite in the centre, and a man and woman at each end of the campsite fire in the middle. It traditionally signified a stopping place, in the eternal nomadic search for food and sustenance in the questing search for a new transitional lifestyle.
The name Yirara is the Arrarnta name for a creek between the College and Amoonguna.
