Painting a picture towards shire’s reconciliation

ARTIST Gerard Black did not tell the stories of his Aboriginal heritage for a long time because of the prejudices and ignorance of others.

“I was painting when I was in my early teens and younger, and then I stopped because of all that ‘don’t tell people you’re Aboriginal’ narrative,” the 38-year-old said.

“There were bad stereotypes to that, and advice that you won’t get certain jobs or won’t get certain opportunities.”

The former Torquay resident and now owner of local business Tidal Tattoo Torquay shared his story during National Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3) and said he identified with its 2022 theme “Be Brave. Make Change.”.

“Three years ago when my son Oswald was born, there was just this massive realisation that I can’t let him go through what I went through, and I couldn’t let him grow up not feeling proud of his culture – where he’s from and who his people are,” Mr Black said.

“Then I knew the only way to do that was to be stronger in myself and be part of sharing everything I knew, just putting it out there and embracing it.”

The Worimi man has since found fulfilment using his art to help share the ancient stories of his heritage, and the shared history with non-Indigenous Australians, with each work in its way a stepping stone on a Reconciliation journey.

“I guess that way of making change for me is like creating positive change and positive connections with my art in educating and talking to people and sharing stories,” he said.

“I want to do it to a point where non-Indigenous people feel as connected to the stories as we do.

“It’s like our joint history and our joint story, something that we share together.”

The Surf Coast Shire is working on its first Reconciliation Action Plan and has adopted one of Mr Black’s artworks to help symbolise the journey.

It portrays the green of the Otways and the blue of the ocean meeting at the beach. Footprints in the sand track from either end of the beach towards a middle ground which is for respectful meeting, deep listening and learning – a place where green shoots of Reconciliation might grow.

Mr Black spoke at the shire’s official National Reconciliation Week event held at the council chambers on Tuesday this week, which also featured Adnyamathanha woman and director and co-founder of Arranyinha Marsha Uppill and Wadawurrung woman and cultural educator Corrina Eccles.

Shire mayor Libby Stapleton said Reconciliation remained one of the council’s major priorities.

“Reconciliation Week opens important conversations and opportunities for learning, and challenges us to make change for the benefit of all Australians,” Cr Stapleton said.

“The more we know and understand the better equipped we will be to realise that ambition.”