By Tanya Steele
The Cardinia and Yarra Ranges community came together recently in Emerald to share and learn about First Nations culture, with the theme ‘Now, More Than Ever’ for 2024.
National Reconciliation Week from 27 May to 3 June was marked by the youth, community and representatives from Cardinia Shire and Yarra Ranges Council on Tuesday, 28 May at Worrell Reserve, Emerald.
Primary and pre-primary school students from Emerald, Selby, Gembrook and Kallista came to perform on the day and artist Emmy Webbers launched a new exhibition at the Hills Hub.
Patch resident, Djirri Djirri dancer and proud Wurundjeri, Djadjawurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung woman Stacie Piper opened the ceremony with a Welcome to Country along with her cousin Mikayla.
“Wominjenka – it’s been a pleasure to welcome you all,” she said.
Ms Piper spoke the traditional Welcome to Country in Woi Wurrung language and the children in the audience picked out some of the words they knew – Birrarung (Yarra River) Wah (crow) and Bunjil (eagle).
“It’s incredible to see the work being done with the next generation – these are our future leaders right here,” she said.
“When it comes to reconciliation – I feel like the work is really being done in these spaces and bringing the next generation through.”
The ceremony was mc’ed by Nadia Douglas a Proud Yamatji/Awabakal Woman who is the community-strengthening facilitator of Aboriginal engagement at Cardinia Shire.
“I grew up with community and mob from as far north as Bundjalung,” she said.
Both Mayors addressed the crowd and Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik said it’s not often two different councils get together to celebrate at share at events.
“Together, we’re here to reflect on this country’s shared history to celebrate Indigenous culture and look towards a more inclusive future. It’s a time for all Australians to learn how we can contribute to achieving that reconciliation,” he said.
“Our community thrives when we build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.”
Yarra Ranges Major Sophie Todorov said it was important to listen to Indigenous voices, especially after the recent referendum.
“There was a lot of disappointment about that – Yarra Ranges Council supports the notion of the Voice,” she said.
“We share a very high population of indigenous community members in the Yarra Ranges and we ensure that we’re always working with them and hearing their voices about how we move forward together to care for this country.”
Both Mayors acknowledged the honour of being at the event and said that it was positive to see kids learning about Indigenous history in school.
“It’s really cool to see that change and to see things getting better for generations as we move forward,” Mayor Kowarzik said.
“We need to work together to achieve great outcomes for our future generations and be grateful and acknowledge the Indigenous history of these lands. We’ve got a lot of things to still tackle,” Mayor Todorov said.
Students recited some words they put together on reconciliation – some schools reading and others reciting and singing to the crowd.
“We recognize that the true reconciliation is a journey that requires understanding and respect – it is a journey that asks us to face uncomfortable truths, to listen with open hearts and to commit to meaningful action,” a Selby Primary School student read.
“It is very important to respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people because they were on this land first and we stole it from them without asking permission,” read a student from Emerald Primary School.
Artist and proud Gunai/Kurnai person Emmy Webbers (also known as Wurruck Yambo) invited attendees to witness their new exhibition ‘Dancing through Echoes’ which will be will be showing from Friday 24 May to Friday 12 July during Reconciliation Week until the end of NAIDOC Week.
Children and community got the chance to participate in colouring, early style weaving, gumnut and leaf decorating activities along with the art exhibit upstairs.
Ms Piper said on the day that for her reconciliation is an ongoing conversation and it’s an important one.
“We just need you to walk with us on this journey and help us wake up our practices help us wake up our language, and maybe sing and dance with us more as well,” she said.
