Flag flown for reconciliation

WITH Reconciliation Week underway, the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation invited the community for a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate the occasion.

Over 100 people gathered at the front of the community group’s Ballarat office on Mair Street and board director and traditional owner Macaylah Johnson said it signifies the start of a controversial seven days.

“Reconciliation Week for me and many others in the community is very uncomfortable,” she said.

“While it is a celebration in recognising our ancestors and what they went through and the achievements they made, it also brings back some unhealed traumas and reminders of the intergenerational trauma that’s still passed on today.

“It’s necessary though to take the time to make these steps towards reconciliation, however small, so I’ll be very proud to see the flag flying and to see our Elders especially take it in as well.”

Ms Johnson said the ceremony was the first time the Aboriginal flag has been flown by the group and that it signifies their new space in the city.

Elder Uncle Norm Eccles helped raise the flag, and said while seeing it fly brought back a range of memories, it also exemplified the group’s achievements.

“It’s a good feeling to see it up but it brings back a lot of emotions as well, but I think it really shows how far this corporation has come,” he said.

“They’re teaching the young ones their cultural heritage and doing all this great stuff, and it’s nice to recognise that as well with this turnout which is much bigger than I thought it’d be. Things are changing for the better.”