Traditional Owner truth-telling to return in 2024

WADAWURRUNG Traditional Owners will welcome the Surf Coast community to Country in Torquay for a reflection at Pilk Purriyn this month.

The January 26 event will return for a second year against the backdrop of Warri Dja (Sea Country) and welcome people of all ages, genders and races for a day of deep listening to historic truth-telling.

Traditional Owners will share truths to deepen community understanding of the traumas, loss and hurt colonisation brought on First Nations people.

The event will be presented in collaboration with the Surf Coast Shire Council and supported by the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, GeelongPort and Give Where You Live Foundation.

Aunty Mary Shuttleworth said the event was culturally significant for the whole community.

“Pilk Purriyn meaning sunrise is symbolic of a new day. Through truth telling, Wadawurrung People will be able to share our history and the story of the world’s oldest living culture,” she said.

“It is an opportunity to move forward and give others a greater understanding of why we invite them to koling wada ngal – walk alongside to achieve self-determination.”

Surf Coast mayor Liz Pattison said Council recognised January 26 as a day of sorrow rather than celebration.

“We are proud to support Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the Pilk Purriyn event, respectfully acknowledging so much loss and hurt,” she said.

“Our community demonstrated earlier this year a profound wish to participate in deep listening and to be there as allies for First Nations people. We encourage community members to again take this opportunity to recognise truths and a cultural richness spanning over 60,000 years.”

The Authority chief executive officer Jodie Sizer also threw her support behind the event.

“As we come together at sunrise on Warri Dja for Pilk Purriyn, we proudly stand with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, recognising the profound importance of cultivating a space for respectful reflection and healing,” she said.

“In supporting this event, we reaffirm our commitment to amplifying the voices, values, rights, and interests of all Rights Holders throughout the Great Ocean Road region.”

The event will kick off at 5.30am with a traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking and dance ceremonies.

To register and to obtain more information, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/PilkPurriyn