SATURDAY marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week, a time for Australians to learn more about the culture, history and achievements of our First Nations peoples while exploring the ways in which we can works towards a reconciled Australia.
This year’s theme is Be a Voice for Generations. It encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
Throughout the week, Australians can learn and explore the culture and history of our First Peoples through a range of events held across the country.
To help you get started on your reconciliation journey this week, we’ve collated some events based in Victoria, including the club’s open training session on Monday morning.
Narrm Football Club’s Open Training
Date: Monday 29 May
Location: Gosch’s Paddock
Time: 11am – 12:30pm
Details: Join Narrm Football Club for an open training session at Gosch’s Paddock. Attendees can enjoy a BBQ while watching the team on the track, before a performance by an Indigenous dance group from Melbourne Grammar finishes off the event.
First Knowledges Astronomy | Astrophysicist Krystal De Napoli
Date: Wednesday 31 May
Location: Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub
Time: 7pm – 8pm
Details: Kamilaroi educator and astrophysicist Krystal De Napoli is hosting a talk at Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub. De Napoli will talk about the connections between Aboriginal environmental and cultural practices and the behaviour of stars and what can be done to sustain our dark skies.
Yalinguth App | Fitzroy Walking Tour
Date: Friday 26 May – Saturday 3 June
Location: Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Details: Yalinguth is an app that creates an immersive audio experience, connecting listeners to the important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history of Gertrude Street. In the Woi Wurrung language Yalinguth means “yesterday” and echoes the sentiments of many Elders that “we need to go back, before we can go forwards”.
Unfinished Business Exhibition
Date: Wednesday 24 May – Thursday 29 June
Location: Manningham Art Gallery
Details: The Unfinished Business exhibition reveals the stories of 30 First Nations people with disability. Their deeply personal stories are complex and intertwined with Australia’s political and social history. This was a collaborative project between participants and Artist and Social Documentarian, Belinda Mason Knierim OAM.
Dance Presentation + Writing Workshop | Artist Mandy Nicholson + Author Dr.Tony Birch
Date: Saturday 3 June
Location: Sandringham Library
Time: 10:30am – 2:30pm
Details: A Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony will begin this event, with Mandy Nicholson from Djirri Djirri discussing the journey of Wurundjeri women’s dance. Dr. Tony Birch, an acclaimed First Nations author, will then run a writing workshop.
To find out more on National Reconciliation Week and to explore more events throughout the upcoming seven days, visit Reconciliation Australia’s website here.
