Working together to achieve reconciliation

ORGANISATIONS throughout Golden Plains Shire have recognised National Reconciliation Week, which runs from Tuesday of this week to Tuesday, June 3.

The dates commemorate the milestones of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

This year’s theme bridging now to the next asks Australians to step forward together while being guided by past lessons.

Golden Plains Shire Council in partnership with Geelong Regional Library Corporation held story times yesterday (Thursday, May 29), at Meredith and Rokewood.

Stories shared included Alfie Search for Destiny by David Hardy, KooKoo Kookaburra by Gregg Dreise, Where is Galah? by Sally Morgan and Awesome Emu by Gregg Dreise.

Story time events will continue today (Friday, May 30), at Bannockburn, Smythesdale and Linton.

“National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to learn about our shared histories and cultures, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in our local and broader communities,” mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said.

“Council is committed to reconciliation with our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and encourage community members to work towards our goal of a just and reconciled society.”

Staff at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) are working on their first Reconciliation Action Plan and recognised their role in meaningful reconciliation.

“Corangamite CMA works on the lands, waters and seas of the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation and the Kirrae Whurrong, Djagurd Woorroong, Gulidjan and Gadubanud People of the Maar Nation,” CCMA chief executive officer Dr Amber Clarke said. “We acknowledge them as Traditional Owners and greatly value the partnerships and projects we have with both Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar Traditional Owners to improve the health of the lands, water and seas in the region.

“Through the development of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan we will strengthen the existing partnerships we have with Traditional Owners and First Nations people.”

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Easter Maar Aboriginal Corporation will assist in the development and implementation of the plan.

“Reconciliation Week reminds us how important it is for us to walk with Traditional Owners in all our work on Country across the catchment, bridging now to next,” CCMA Reconciliation Working Group co-chair Kristen Lees said.

“We’re honoured to have Eastern Maar Traditional Owner and Gulidjan woman Ebony Hickey attending our flag raising and morning tea ceremony to recognise Reconciliation Week.”