By JESSE GRAHAM
“WE are making positive steps, but there is a while to go.”
This was the sentiment expressed by Yarra Ranges mayor Fiona McAllister, at a special Reconciliation Week Luncheon last week.
The event was organised by the Yarra Ranges Council and the Yarra Ranges indigenous Advisory Committee, and was held at Healesville’s Sanctuary House Resort Motel.
Cr McAllister spoke at the event, and said that, when thinking of stories that reflected reconciliation in the past year, she felt “both saddened and buoyed with optimism”.
“The sadness comes from a sense that we have a long way to go on our walk to true reconciliation, equality and a unified nation,” she said.
“The optimism comes from what I see happening and in my personal experiences,” she said.
Cr McAllister said Reconciliation Week was significant when looking at the past, while also forming future goals to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
“We talk of recognition as a pathway and healing the past and moving forward, towards a future of respect, caring and sharing with all cultures living in harmony.”
“Reconciliation Week is a moment in our year, where we specifically make time to reflect on, gather in friendship and partnership and talk about achieving – hopefully at some time in the future to celebrate – the achievement of a truly just, equal and unified Australia.”
Cr McAllister, Seymour MP and Eildon candidate Cindy McLeish, Uncle David Farrell, Aunty Dot Peters, Miranda Madgewick and Robynne White all spoke on the importance of preserving and respecting Indigenous culture in Australia and in the Yarra Ranges.
Uncle Farrell agreed with Cr McAllister and said that work still needed to be done for all aspects of society to match up for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
He said that racism still existed, and gave the example of young people shouting abuse out of moving cars when passing a traditional smoking ceremony.
“We’ve still got a bit of a way to go in educating young people in our communities – I would have liked them to stop and have an understanding about what was taking place,” he said.
“My view on reconciliation? Yes, it’s there.
“We need support on the political front, as well as the well-being front,” he said.
The theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week is ‘Walk the Talk’, and Ms McLeish urged every person in the community to walk the talk of reconciliation and do their part to help close the gap.
“I encourage everybody here to think about what they can do,” she said.
“Who do you know? Who can you talk to? What can you say? How are you going to do it?
“It’s one thing to talk the talk – walking the talk is different.”
Reconciliation Week ran from 27 May to 3 June.
For more information, visit www.reconciliation.org.au
