Charlotte Varcoe
RECONCILIATION Week comes to a close last week with community organisations across Mount Gambier taking part in a number of activities.
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.
The theme this year, ‘Be Brave and Make Change’, encouraged community members to do their part in accepting and acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history while also making significant changes for the future.
During the week, Mount Gambier’s ac.care Family and Relationship Centre unveiled its newest addition to the building’s Indigenous artwork.
Local Boandik, Meintangk, Gunditjmara, Ngarrindjeri and Narrungga artist Bonnie-May Saunders first public artwork ‘My Home’ was presented to key supporters on Tuesday followed by the organisation’s official launch of its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan.
The plan maps out the organisation’s commitment to working towards reconciliation and being guided by and providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Speaking with The Border Watch on her artwork, Ms Saunders said it acknowledged the important work the family and relationship centre has done within the broader community.
“At the centre of the piece is ac.care’s Family and Relationship Centre and there are emu and kangaroo tracks around it, four waterholes because there is always water here in Mount Gambier and it just shows how important family relationships are,” Ms Saunders said.
“The services provided here have such a connection to Mount Gambier and I wasn’t sure at first whether my artwork would be good enough but it turns out people like it and it looks lovely on the window.”
The local artist said the opportunity to create the artwork was a fantastic experience for her and she was both grateful and honoured to have her artwork on display publicly.
“When I was approached to do this I was so nervous because it is my first art piece and I have never done anything like this before,” she said.
“I think it is also in a really good place because people are able to stop at the traffic lights and have a look at it which serves as a reminder that we are on Boandik land.”
Ms Saunders also encouraged all businesses from across Mount Gambier to implement something similar in their workplace, stating it would help the community relate to Aboriginal culture.
Mount Gambier Library also hosted two events on Tuesday for the youth of the community with readings at the venue and colourful activities.
Headspace Mount Gambier also unveiled its newest mural today with Indigenous artist Belinda Bonney.
