Community members will be able to tune into Council’s Reconciliation Week event from home for a second year running, with Adam Goodes and Archie Roach taking the virtual stage this week.
Our Country, Our Future, Our Shared Responsibility will be broadcast online from 10am on Thursday, 27 May, featuring speeches and performances by Brooke Wandin, Uncle Dave Wandin, Ash Dargan, Aunty Judy Atkinson, Uncle Richard Frankland, Adam Goodes, Victor Steffensen and Archie Roach.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Fiona McAllister, said the event would be a celebration of the continuing cultures of First Nations people over more than 60,000 years, and a reminder of the history we all share.
“We are all custodians of this land that we call home, and our connection with country is a strong part of our identity, our shared passions and our way forward as community,” Cr McAllister said.
“The responsibility that we must lean into is knowing what’s occurred before and how the past influences the present. It’s learning from that history and culture so we continue to strengthen our community.”
“At the Our Country, Our Future, Our Shared Responsibility event, you’ll hear speakers talk about Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being and Doing, what’s come before and what we can continue to bring with us into our future.”
Cr McAllister said the event was being broadcast online to be accessible for more members of the community, including those living outside of Yarra Ranges.
“We received incredibly positive feedback about our Reconciliation Week event livestream in 2020, when we were living through strict restrictions on leaving the house and gatherings,” she said.
“Rather than have an in-person event, where we’d have a strict cap on attendees, we’re continuing to offer this event online to ensure everyone can take part. The event will also be recorded for community members to watch later.
“I hope that everyone in the community will take the time to watch this event and reflect on the part they can play in strengthening connection to country and community into the future.”
The event is the result of a partnership between Council, Oonah, alalouie and Eastern Metropolitan Region Palliative Care Consortium.
Tickets are free, but bookings ahead of the day are essential to access the livestream.
