Borough’s budget to work towards reconciliation

THERE will be no official Borough of Queenscliffe events for National Reconciliation Week in 2022, but the council has committed funds in its latest budget to working with the Wadawurrung community to celebrate their culture and heritage.

National Reconciliation Week is marked across Australia from May 27 to June 3 to commemorate two enormous milestones for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision.

Last week, a borough spokesperson said although the organisation did not have any public events on the calendar for National Reconciliation Week this year, “we’ll be reminding all staff of the importance of the week and encouraging them to consider how they can better recognise Wadawurrung people and history in the work they do here at council”.

“Council’s budget for the coming financial year includes funding to work with the Wadawurrung on a comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan for the borough.

“We’re looking forward to developing a plan that ensures our community can better recognise and celebrate Wadawurrung heritage, culture and Country.

“We’re also looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week in July this year.”

In his introduction to the borough’s draft 2022-23 Budget, Queenscliffe mayor Ross Ebbels noted the Council Plan called on the council to improve the way the municipality celebrated the borough’s diversity, and that “reconciliation with the borough’s Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung people, is an overdue and important piece of work for council”.

“This budget contains $20,000 of funding to work alongside the Wadawurrung on the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan, and a further $20,000 for the installation of Wadawurrung signage and place names throughout our community.

“Celebrating our Wadawurrung history and creating a shared future together will add to the rich heritage that makes the borough such a special place to live.”

The City of Greater Geelong is acknowledging National Reconciliation Week by projecting artwork by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people onto City Hall and at the Barwon Water forecourt each night from 6-11pm until this Sunday, June 6.

The digital projections marked its 2021 return with a launch at the Barwon Water forecourt on May 21, after COVID-19 restrictions last year moved the animated display online.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is “Be Brave. Make Change.” and urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.