MONDAY marked 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 Now More Than Ever and is a reminder to all Australians that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will - and must - continue.

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 around the country, including the club’s open training session on Saturday ahead of its AFL game in Alice Springs.

Melbourne Football Club’s Open Training
Date: Saturday 1 June
Location: TIO Traeger Park
Venue Open: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Free Junior/Auskick Clinic: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 
Training Time: 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Details: Join the Melbourne Football Club for an open training session at TIO Traeger Park for a special Alice Springs event. Attendees can enjoy an array of exciting opportunities including a free football clinic, a BBQ, face painting, a DJ and giveaways.

Confined 15 | Art Exhibition
Date: May 3^rd – June 2^nd
Location: Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Time: 10am – 5pm
Details: Confined provides a dedicated space for First Nations people who have experienced incarceration in Victoria to share their stories, culture and lived experiences through the artworks they produce. With a diverse array of over 400 artworks by more than 380 artists, The Torch is proudly presenting the fifteenth annual Confined exhibition at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery.

Native Flora and Fauna | Tours
Date: Saturday 2 June
Location: Mallanbool Reserve, Murrumbeena
Time: 10:30am – 2:15pm
Details: Kulin Nation bushtukka woman Cassie Fisher-Patterson is hosing tours and sharing her extensive knowledge of traditional and medicinal uses of native plants and how to identify edible native plants. Fisher-Patterson is hosting four sessions on Saturday 1 June. See below for timings:
First session: 10:30am – 11:15am
Second session: 11:30am – 12:15pm
Third session: 12:30pm – 1:15pm
Fourth session: 1:30pm – 2:15pm

Aboriginal Heritage Walks | Tours 
Date: May 26 – June 2
Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
Time: 11am
Details: Journey into the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a significant cultural site for the local Kulin Nation, with a First Peoples guide. Gain insight into the rich history and thriving culture of the First Peoples of Australia through a journey of identifying significant native plants within the Gardens during a 90min walking tour. Learn about Aboriginal plant uses, customs and ongoing connection to Country.

Contemporary Indigenous Art | 26 Advantage Exhibition
Date: May 23 – June 11
Location: 26 Advantage Art Gallery
Time: 9am – 2pm
Details: This is a never-before-seen collection of art which transcends generations and cultures, where stories are told through vibrant strokes, digital magic, and intricate lines. Showing now at the 26 Advantage Art Gallery until June 11, visit and celebrate Indigenous culture and foster cross-cultural understanding and reconciliation through the language of visual art.

Whose land is it anyway? | Working Heritage Panel
Date: Monday 3 June
Location: South Melbourne Temperance Hall
Time: 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Details: As part of Reconciliation Week, Working Heritage is proud to convene a panel discussion investigating the theme of Whose Land is it Anyway? Discussions will focus on Crown Land, history, Truth Telling, Treaty, community, heritage management and reconciliation.