Macedon Ranges Shire Council will be holding a community talk and community round table event as part of National Reconciliation Week 2022, which runs from 27 May until 3 June.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year's theme is "Be Brave. Make Change."
The community talk called 'Truth-telling and reconciliation' will be held at Kyneton Town Hall on Tuesday 31 May at 7pm. Special guest speakers will include Brent Ryan, Assistant Director Education at Yoorrook Justice Commission, and Nicole Findlay CEO Reconciliation Victoria.
Brent will share the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, who have recently begun the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
Nicole will speak of Reconciliation Victoria Council's recent Reconciliation Action Plan and ignite our thinking around the ongoing work of reconciliation in our community. A Q&A session and light refreshments will follow the talk.
The community round table event called 'Reconciliation Action in our Community' will be held on Tuesday 7 June from 7–9pm at Woodend Community Centre.
This event will involve an interactive discussion with community members who have expressed an interest in being involved in local reconciliation action. The evening will include a Dja Dja Wurrung Welcome to Country and Cultural Education talk as well as guest speakers including Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson, Vic Say from Castlemaine Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation, and Dennis Batty a Local Taungurung man and a member of Council's Reconciliation Action Plan Implementation Committee.
Round table conversations will follow the presentations to address the issues raised and to share ideas. Interested community members can nominate themselves to continue this work and consider how these ideas can be put into action in the mid-to-long term.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson said events such as these provide an opportunity to acknowledge and learn more about reconciliation.
"It's extremely important to create a shared future where traditional owner and custodian histories, cultures and rights are respected, learned from and celebrated. Council has recently completed our Reconciliation Action Plan which is a positive step towards recognising and strengthening relationships with Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples in our region," she said.
