Community gathers to embrace truth-telling

MORE than 2,500 gathered on Wadawurrung Country in Torquay last Friday for the truth telling Pilk Purriyn (sunrise) event.

The Wadawurung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation event provided an opportunity for members of all communities to gather and deeply listen to testimonials from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.

Three generations of Wadawurrung people were present for proceedings and spearheaded a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking and Dancing Ceremonies.

Aunty Mary Shuttleworth shared the stories of generations of women in her family line and the struggles they faced due to the impacts of colonisation.

She recognised the proud survival and resilience of First Nations people, and preservation of culture, which has endured for tens of thousands of years.

“When I looked up at the crowd and saw my Wadawurrung family, First Nations community and others, I felt both humbled and joyful,” Ms Shuttleworth said.

“With so many people attending it gave me hope.”

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison said it was great to see so many gather with “open hearts.”

“We gathered in respectful silence and absorbed truths which have been obscured for too long by the telling of only one side of our colonial history,” she said.

“Surf Coast Shire Council is on a journey towards Reconciliation, and recognition of past wrongs, loss and hurt is essential to our progress.

“We acknowledge all that has gone before, and we thank Wadawurrung Traditional Owners for their strength and grace in sharing Pilk Purriyn with our community.”

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Matthew Smith said attending the event was “culturally enriching.”

“I acknowledge the bravery of all the Wadawurrung people involved in the truth-telling,” he said.

“The support from the crowd was certainly felt, and hopefully with a deeper understanding of culture and history, we continue to see the narrative changing.”