THE city\u2019s inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony, coordinated by Ballarat\u2019s Koorie Engagement Action Group, received a Highly Commended gong at the Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together Awards.<\/p>\n
KEAG was nominated in the local government category of the Reconciliation Victoria ceremony, with presentations by Minister for Local Government, Adem Somyurek.<\/p>\n
Held at View Point, Lake Wendouree on Australia Day this year from 5.30am, KEAG\u2019s service featured Indigenous leaders addressing the survival and strength of First Nations Peoples, their culture, communities and determination to secure a positive future.<\/p>\n
KEAG\u2019s Nikki Foy said it\u2019s great to have the event recognised, but organisers don\u2019t need awards to understand the \u201cmagnificent job\u201d of the whole community.<\/p>\n
Other council areas are looking to Ballarat\u2019s ceremony for ideas.<\/p>\n
\u201cHorsham 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,\u201d Mrs Foy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re planning and looking forward to next year\u2019s event already. I can see numbers growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE city\u2019s inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony, coordinated by Ballarat\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n