GANNAWARRA Shire residents are encouraged to join a walk through Kerang’s streets as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations on May 30.
Council, in partnership with Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Northern District Community Health, is organising a morning of activities, highlighted by a walk from the Kerang council building to Kerang Memorial Hall.
“Kerang is renowned for its National Reconciliation Week celebrations, which enables residents to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.
“This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week, which runs from May 27 to June 3, is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, which encourages us all to create a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.”
Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.
In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first Reconciliation Week.
In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation.
In the same year, about 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of Reconciliation Week, and subsequently across bridges in cities and towns to show their support for reconciliation.
Gannawarra’s commemorations will begin with a flag raising ceremony outside the Kerang council building in Victoria Street at 9.30am, before local leaders and residents walk to Kerang Memorial Hall via Wellington, Fitzroy, Scoresby and Nolan streets.
Events occurring at the Kerang Memorial Hall will begin at 10am with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, a moment of reflection for loved ones, and a storytelling session featuring the story, My Deadly Boots. A free morning tea will follow.
NDCH chief executive Mandy Hutchinson said the health service was proud to walk alongside the local Aboriginal community during Reconciliation Week.
“We warmly welcome the community to walk with us and celebrate the deep connection and continuous impact our Kerang Aboriginal Elders, emerging leaders and future generations have on the life of our community,” she said.
MDAS chief executive Darlene Thomas said the organisation actively supported reconciliation.
“Mallee District Aboriginal Services believes it’s a journey we must all go on together,” she said.
“Working collectively, we can ensure the future of Australia is one where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture are valued, and where understanding, respect, opportunity and aspiration are promoted for all people.”
Families not able to attend the Reconciliation Week walk will be able to experience My Deadly Boots by visiting Atkinson Park, Kerang and Garden Park, Cohuna between May 30 and June 13, with StoryWalks to be set up at both locations.
The dates May 27 and June 3 commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision.
May 27, 1967: On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.
June 3, 1992: On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.
