National & local events on program

Glenelg Shire Council is offering a range of activities throughout Reconciliation Week and will host a Community National Reconciliation Week event at the Heywood Community Hall on Thursday, May 30, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

National Reconciliation Week 2024 runs from Monday, May 27, to Monday, June 3, with this year’s theme Now More Than Ever.

The Heywood event invites community members, schools, government agencies partners and allies to join in reflection and recognition of what reconciliation looks like in our community and to join in conversations about truth-telling, understanding our history, becoming more informed and tackling racism.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said there have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away.

“But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect,” Mayor Stephens said.

“Glenelg Shire Council acknowledges that it needs to work with the Aboriginal community to better understand the issues still being experienced by Aboriginal people as a result of colonisation.

“Glenelg Shire Council has a long standing partnership with Aboriginal leaders but still has much to do in understanding the work of reconciliation.

“While we can be proud of the work that has been done, we need to continue to strengthen relationships and our work internally to evolve our policies and processes to address the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to enable self determined outcomes for future generations.

“National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June and the theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must continue.”

Other key National Reconciliation Week dates and activities in the Glenelg Shire are:

May 26 – National Sorry Day

May 27 – Sunday 2 June – First Nations Book Displays (Glenelg Libraries)

May 30 – 6pm – 8pm – Artist Talk: Kellie Frankland-Saunders and free film screening of Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (Portland Arts Centre)

May 30 – 10am – 11.30am – Lava Flow – Kellie Frankland-Saunders Exhibition Opening (Portland Arts Centre)

May 31 – 6pm – 8pm – NRW Themed Storytime (Portland Library)

May 31 – 11am – First Nations Film Screenings (Portland Arts Centre)

June 1 – 2pm – 6pm – Mabo Day