By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
Moorabool residents have commemorated this year\u2019s Reconciliation Week, attending three Council-run events to mark the occasion and acknowledge the history and culture of Indigenous Australians.<\/p>\n
Two flag raising ceremonies were held \u2013 the first at Bacchus Marsh\u2019s Village Green on Monday and the second at the Ballan Council Office on Wednesday \u2013 as well as a singing and storytelling event at the Lerderderg Library on Friday.<\/p>\n
In Ballan, the ceremony was attended by around 30 people, from Councillors to emergency service personnel, and even a group of Ballan Primary School students who helped read out the Acknowledgement of Country.<\/p>\n
Council\u2019s Senior Community Engagement & Planning Officer Kristian Brudenell was the MC, with Mayor Cr Rod Ward also speaking and Wadawurrung poet Barry Gilson conducting a smoking ceremony and singing in the Wadawurrung language.<\/p>\n
\u201cReconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, and it recognises two very significant dates in our history. On 27 May 1967 \u2013 it seems incomprehensible now \u2013 but a referendum was held that, amongst other things, recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the census. On 3 June 1992 was the famous High Court decision known as the Mabo decision, that recognised Native Title,\u201d Cr Ward said.<\/p>\n
\u201cReconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It provides an opportunity to reflect and advance our understanding of reconciliation in our community, and Moorabool is committed to continuing to respect and acknowledge our Traditional Owners and community members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Barry Gilson shared stories and the history of the region, including some of the Wadawurrung names for parts of Moorabool and surrounds, and what they mean.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome all my ancestors from the past. Without them we wouldn\u2019t be here. It\u2019s said there were about 4,000 of us before colonisation, 25 family groups around our countryside \u2013 we go all the way to Waubra which means \u2018turn back\u2019, Aireys Inlet, all the way to Werribee, and \u2018Ballaarat\u2019, meaning \u2018elbow resting against the fire\u2019 and \u2018arat\u2019 meaning \u2018at home\u2019,\u201d Mr Gilson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an important week where we can share our histories and our culture, and discuss things to make a bit of a conversation about where we\u2019re going as a people. Thank you all for coming today, lots of love from both me and my ancestors.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on Reconciliation Week, visit www.reconciliation.org.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis Moorabool residents have commemorated this year\u2019s Reconciliation Week, attending three Council-run events to mark the occasion and acknowledge the history and culture of Indigenous Australians. Two flag raising ceremonies were held \u2013 the first at Bacchus Marsh\u2019s Village Green on Monday and the second at the Ballan Council Office on Wednesday \u2013 […]<\/p>\n