Survival Day service gets HART nod

THE city’s inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony, coordinated by Ballarat’s Koorie Engagement Action Group, received a Highly Commended gong at the Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together Awards.

KEAG was nominated in the local government category of the Reconciliation Victoria ceremony, with presentations by Minister for Local Government, Adem Somyurek.

Held at View Point, Lake Wendouree on Australia Day this year from 5.30am, KEAG’s service featured Indigenous leaders addressing the survival and strength of First Nations Peoples, their culture, communities and determination to secure a positive future.

KEAG’s Nikki Foy said it’s great to have the event recognised, but organisers don’t need awards to understand the “magnificent job” of the whole community.

Other council areas are looking to Ballarat’s ceremony for ideas.

“Horsham are really keen to start the conversations. Geelong are very keen to develop their ceremony, and also Swan Hill. Other councils have talked about what they can do for their January 26,” Mrs Foy said.

“We’re planning and looking forward to next year’s event already. I can see numbers growing.”

The Survival Day Dawn Ceremony was a partnership between KEAG, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative, the Wathaurong Aboriginal Corporation, the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Federation University, Victoria Police, Centacare, and Cafs.