National Reconciliation Week provides an opportunity promote reconciliation and an understanding of Indigenous culture. Maroondah celebrates Reconciliation Week through an official launch, as well as a series of events, including cultural awareness training.
This year I was invited to speak at the launch of National Reconciliation Week and the copy of speech is provided within this post:
Continue reading “Maroondah Celebrations for National Reconciliation Week”
Well-respected Indigenous rights speaker and performer Kutcha Edwards will be a special guest at Maroondah City Council’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations.
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May – 3 June and recognises the rich culture and history of the First Australians.
Maroondah Councillor Alex Makin said this year’s event would provide a variety of opportunities encouraging the community to explore Indigenous culture and heritage.
“I’d like to extend an invitation to the community to attend Maroondah’s Reconciliation Week celebrations from 10.30am at Maroondah Federation Estate on Tuesday May 31,” Cr Makin said.
“The launch will include a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, a flag ceremony and a mesmerising didgeridoo performance by an indigenous performer,” Cr Makin said.
“Following the official procedures, Kutcha Edwards will speak about the theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week – Let’s talk recognition,” Cr Makin said.
“Edwards was born into the Mutti Mutti tribe in New South Wales, before being “stolen” from his family at 18 months of age. As a teenager he was reunited with his family, and started his journey to reconnect with his heritage,” Cr Makin said.
“Edwards now devotes his life working with various community groups including the Aboriginal Community Elders Services (ACES), Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Fitzroy Stars Youth Club Gymnasium and the Koorie Open Door Education school at Glenroy,” Cr Makin said.
As part of Reconciliation Week, Council will also host an Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training session at Maroondah Federation Estate later in the week.
To find out more about Reconciliation Week events visit www.maroondah.vic.gov.au
– ENDS –
One of the reforms undertaken during my year as Mayor was to extend delegate reports into attendance reports, to ensure that Councillors can confidently discuss the events and activities that they have undertaken. In addition, a new report, known as Ward Reports was also introduced which allows Councillors to discuss upcoming events.
On the 19th of November I attended Maroondah’s end of year function for crossing supervisors. The function provides an opportunity to thank crossing supervisors for the work they undertake in providing safety for students gaining access to and from schools. Several crossing supervisors are some of Maroondah’s longest serving employees and I would like to thank these dedicated members of staff for the service that they provide to the community.
On the 20th of November I attended the 10th anniversary of Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation. The group, which was formed in 2000 aimed to encourage reconciliation and promote an understanding and awareness of Indigenous culture. I would like to congratulate the group for its achievements, particularly in encouraging Council and the community to embrace Reconciliation.
On the 21st of November I attended the first annual general meeting of the Maroondah Inter-faith network. The network, which was established in November last year aims to encourage dialogue and understanding between faith based communities in Maroondah. The group has experienced a strong first year and I would like to thank the interim committee for their service and dedication, as well as congratulate the incoming committee, which is already planning events for the year ahead.
Lastly, on the 22nd of November I joined my then Mayoral counterparts of the Councils containing Central Activities Districts to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between these Councils and the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne. This alliance will ensure that the Councils that contain Central Activities Districts, namely Maroondah, Frankston, Greater Dandenong, Whitehorse, Hume and Maribyrnong will be able to collectively advocate for the needs of these urban centres.
A meeting is scheduled for the 20th of December where this alliance will be introduced to the newly elected Mayors and priorities established for the next twelve months. This alliance will having growing significance to Council over future years as it will ensure that Maroondah will be also work cooperatively with these other Councils to ensure a cohesive approach to Melbourne’s Central Activities Districts.
The Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation is a community group that was formed in 2000 to promote reconciliation and social inclusion within Maroondah. The group has been instrumental in promoting the importance of reconciliation and an understanding of indigenous culture.
This afternoon I attended the 10th anniversary luncheon of Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation, which provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the group, including cultural awareness programs, film evenings and indigenous flag raising ceremonies. As Mayor I was invited to speak on these achievements, where I acknowledged the dedication of former Councillor Jo-anne Taylor, who championed reconciliation within Council.
In 2008, Maroondah City Council agreed to permanently fly the Indigenous Flag at the Council Civic Centres in Ringwood and Croydon. Furthermore Council’s commitment to reconciliation was strengthened throughout this year during my time as Mayor, through the inclusion of the acknowledgement of country at all Council functions and at all Council meetings.
Local government has a key responsibility in promoting social inclusion and establishing a sense of community. Reconciliation promotes an understanding of indigenous culture and helps create an inclusive community. Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation should be proud of its achievements over the past ten years and for continuing to promote reconciliation within our community.
NAIDOC week, which is held in the first full week of July each year celebrates Indigenous culture and has a strong educational focus during the week.
This afternoon I was invited to Marlborough Primary School, located in Heathmont, to attend the presentation of awards to two students who celebrated Indigenous culture through art. The students, in grades six and one, were selected from over 112,000 entries and represents the strong interest and respect Marlborough places on Indigenous culture.
As a former student of Marlborough it was great to be back at the school and congratulate these students on their achievements.