In the lead up to National Reconciliation Week, RAAF Base Richmond hosted local community members and high schools for a morning tea at the Base Yarning Circle on May 6.
This year's National Reconciliation Week theme is 'Bringing Now to Next', reflecting the ongoing connection between past, present and future. It urges us to look ahead and continue forward, guided by past lessons.
Wiradjuri and Ngunnawal man Sergeant Ron Schultz, the base Indigenous Liaison Officer, was proud to host the community event on base and bring together people from all different backgrounds.
Attendees included local Elders and First Nations organisations, high school students and staff, and base personnel.
"RAAF Richmond was proud to host such a great community event at the Base Yarning Circle," Sergeant Schultz said.
"A Welcome to Country was delivered by local Dharug custodian Rhiannon Wright, all attendees participated in a smoking ceremony and local high school students played the yidakis (didgeridoos)."
National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3 annually, marking the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum (May 27, 1967) and the High Court Mabo decision (June 3, 1992).
During the morning tea, students from local high schools performed dances in a visual representation of the theme 'Bridging Now to Next', as young people practised and shared their culture with the audience.
'Watching these groups sharing, and members sharing to the youth their different job roles and Australian Defence Force experiences was priceless.'
The attendees mingled and participated in activities, sitting in groups and sharing the experiences.
This included weaving, playing the yidaki, painting, sharing stories of artefacts on display, and indulging in the Indigenous-themed morning tea.
The morning was full of yarns (conversations) among all those in attendance, and the practical sharing of culture from participants young and old.
"Watching these groups sharing, and members sharing to the youth their different job roles and Australian Defence Force experiences was priceless," Sergeant Schultz said.
"The meaningful two-way conversations inspired all generations. From Defence members learning new skills and participating enthusiastically in the dance with students, to ADF members sharing their stories. There were community members and Elders sharing their stories and invitations to future events in community, for all."
Preparing for National Reconciliation Week, Sergeant Schultz encouraged Defence members to attend events both on bases and in community to celebrate culture and engage with the 2025 theme.
"The RAAF Base Richmond pre-National Reconciliation Week event brought communities together, sharing stories, acknowledging pasts, inspiring future paths and networks meaningfully at the foundational level," he said.
