On the 30th May we celebrate Reconciliation Week at Cranebrook Neighbourhood Centre with the local community and service providers. The morning started with a smoking ceremony to open the event, invite participants to the space and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of this land. Jai Pitman, opened the event with important words and reminders to walk this country with respect, honor and remembrance of the people past, present and our future generations that are emerging.
Joy, NCNS, general manager also addressed the audience, sharing with us the importance of reconciliation. This years theme is ‘be a voice for generations’, encouraging all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we work, live and socialise.
Reconciliation is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The date remains the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds, and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Community and Service providers had the opportunity to walk through the smoke from the ceremony, reflecting on what was, what is and what always will be Aboriginal land. We all enjoyed a lunch together which gave us a further chance to have a chat, share stories and our own experiences in our journey for Reconciliation.
