Charlotte Varcoe
RECONCILIATION Week officially began yesterday with the theme this year encouraging Australians to ‘Be Brave and Make Change’.
Held each year, the week-long annual event encourages community members and organisations across the country to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture.
Boandik elder Aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr said the theme was a fantastic opportunity for organisations and individuals across the Limestone Coast to take a step out of their comfort zone and make brave moves in order to make change.
“I know a lot of organisations will be posing questions to their staff about what reconciliation means to them and really ask the hard questions around this year’s theme,” Aunty Michelle said.
“I would also like to see people really stand up in the future and work towards making a change and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
“It is something I am very passionate about, and now we all live together as one nation.
“We need to come together and take responsibility and work together to make Australia a better country.”
Aunty Michelle said the Limestone Coast region was beginning to accept Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, with small milestones, such as the recent dual naming of iconic landmarks across Mount Gambier, a step in the right direction.
“It is great to see the Mount Gambier region moving ahead and the City Council is a really good part of this with workshops and just supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” she said.
“As for Reconciliation Week, I think Covid has stopped a lot of us getting together for events throughout the week but there are still morning teas happening across the region which is what the week is all about.
“It is important to remember people are still recognising the event and hopefully once Covid calms down a bit we will be able to go back to meeting as a community.”
Reconciliation Week begins today and ends next Friday.
