National Reconciliation Week will be recognised and celebrated in Hobsons Bay with events to engage, inform and entertain residents of all ages.
Held between Saturday 27 May and Saturday 3 June 2023, National Reconciliation Week 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.
This year’s theme, ‘Be a Voice for Generations,’ urges everyone to use their power, their words and their vote to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
Several events will be held in Hobsons Bay, including:
A History of Posters exhibition, Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 23 May to 6 June, 8.30am to 5pm. National Reconciliation Week started as a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993. Learn the history of this week through the last 13 years of posters.
Film and exhibition of The Colour & Sound of My Totem, Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 24 May to 6 June, 8.30am to 5pm. In 2022 at Woods Street Arts Space, children were invited to participate in a series of creative workshops with a group of Indigenous artists and Elders. Together they explored totems through colour, music, song and dance and created a turtle totem. They held a performance at Woods Street Arts Space in Laverton. This film showcases and celebrates the project’s journey and the totem created through the workshop program.
Q&A with author Paul Callaghan, available online on the Hobsons Bay Libraries EnviroCentre YouTube channel. Paul Callaghan discusses his book The Dreaming Path: Indigenous thinking to change your life. Paul belongs to the land of the Worimi people, and he talks about his personal experiences which lead to him finding his own dreaming path.
Poetry Tree exhibition opening, Newport Library, Saturday 27 May, 10am-11am. Enjoy reading and listening to the work of Hobsons Bay’s young poets as they use their voices for reconciliation. Have a go at your own walking poem, using our Poetry Tree as a guide, then get hooked on the first episode of My Place as you munch on salt bush flavoured popcorn and sweet tea.
Story Time, Hobsons Bay Libraries. Various times and locations, visit Hobsons Bay Libraries for details. Our early years programs will feature First Nation books in our Story Time, Toddler Time and Baby Times sessions over the week. These programs are aimed at 0-5-year-olds.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa:
“This is a significant year for reconciliation as we head towards the Voice to Parliament referendum. We all have a part to play in working towards reconciliation.
“This week of events is an important reminder of the issues facing our Indigenous community and what we can all do to forge a path towards reconciliation.
“There are events for all ages, particularly for kids, who can learn more about our wonderful First Nations history at our popular Story Time sessions.”
