Ruth Skilbeck
There has been a groundswell of community support for reconciliation
with Indigenous Australia
Many dozens of local community reconciliation groups, catering to
different local interests, are now flourishing around the land. They range in focus from the Women’s Reconciliation
Network, to the Myall Creek Memorial Committee - set up in 2001 to commemorate the 1838 Myall
Creek massacre where 28 unarmed Aboriginal people were murdered by a
gang of stockmen who were later hung; causing unresolved trauma on both sides of the community for over 160 years*.
The
Reconciliation Council “actively encourages”
the establishment and development of local reconciliation groups, said Julian Boswell, project manager at the New South Wales Reconciliation Council. "These groups are the cornerstone of
reconciliation and are a great source of community information and
inspiration."
One example of reconciliation in community action
is ‘Sundays in Glebe’, a series of free arts, film, and music workshops and events at
Tranby Aboriginal College this month, supported by the City of Sydney, NSW Reconciliation Council and Glebe Schools Community Centre.
Events include an Aboriginal Basket Weaving Workshop, all-ages Hip Hop workshops, mural painting in a Family Art Day, didgeridoo playing, evening gigs by all-women band The Stiff Gins and Blacktree, and an under-the-stars documentary screening of The Tall Man. The program offers a range of cultural activities for a community of interest groups including women, children, men, teens to join in (subject to booking a place through the website).
Sundays in Glebe is part of a growing number of diverse local project initiatives in the reconciliation movement that are demonstrating the power of people to work together within communities to achieve reconciliation, said Mr Boswell.
Tranby College was selected as the location for the series due to its "vital contribution to the Indigenous social justice movement over the 20th Century and role as one of the foremost institutions in Sydney's Aboriginal identity, said NSWRC CEO Leanne Townsend.
"This series is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members of Glebe and the surrounding areas to come together," said Ms Townsend; "Tranby is an important and beautiful part of Glebe and many people living around here have not had an opportunity to see or explore the grounds. It is a true community institution."
The NSWRC encourages people to start up their own groups reflecting community interests and concerns, whilst the focus is on reconciliation with Indigenous Australia through understanding and respect, the movement welcomes people from all backgrounds who support these aims.
So wherever you are from, become involved, join the reconciliation movement to end colonial racism in Australia and move into a new future together.
Sundays in Glebe is part of a growing number of diverse local project initiatives in the reconciliation movement that are demonstrating the power of people to work together within communities to achieve reconciliation, said Mr Boswell.
Tranby College was selected as the location for the series due to its "vital contribution to the Indigenous social justice movement over the 20th Century and role as one of the foremost institutions in Sydney's Aboriginal identity, said NSWRC CEO Leanne Townsend.
"This series is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members of Glebe and the surrounding areas to come together," said Ms Townsend; "Tranby is an important and beautiful part of Glebe and many people living around here have not had an opportunity to see or explore the grounds. It is a true community institution."
The NSWRC encourages people to start up their own groups reflecting community interests and concerns, whilst the focus is on reconciliation with Indigenous Australia through understanding and respect, the movement welcomes people from all backgrounds who support these aims.
So wherever you are from, become involved, join the reconciliation movement to end colonial racism in Australia and move into a new future together.
Did you know?
The Manly Warringah Pittwater Aboriginal Support Group is one of the longest running Reconciliation groups in NSW. It started
in 1979 as a treaty organization and has continued to support Indigenous
Australians in their broader struggle for justice; it produces a quarterly
magazine, publishes books, and hosts regular events such as film screenings and
talks. Convenors: Anna Bell and Lizzie
Landers
* Did you know?
The
Myall Creek Massacre Memorial est. in 2001 is a memorial to a group of 28
unarmed Aboriginal people murdered by a gang of stockmen on June 10th 1838. The
seven stockmen were later sentenced to hang in the first incidence of settlers
executed for killing Aboriginal people. The
Memorial comprises a large granite boulder with a plaque, erected on a hill
overlooking the site of the massacre at Myall Creek. The
Memorial’s foundation ceremony brought together descendants of the victims,
survivors and perpetrators of the violence in an act of reconciliation and
bearing witness that had significance for the whole community. Each year a
commemoration ceremony is conducted at the site. Convenors:
Graeme Cordiner and Rev Ivan Roberts
Find out ways to join the Reconciliation Movement and/or start your own community group, through the New South Wales Reconciliation Council website www.nswreconciliation.org.au.
To reserve a place at Sundays in Glebe or for more info contact www.unswreconciliation.org.au, Ph : 02- 9562 6355, or talk to Kate at Glebe Schools Community Centre Ph 02- 9566 1285.
Myall Creek Memorial Committee
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