It has been an exciting and eventful few months in the reconciliation movement since our Spring Newsletter last year.

There has been plenty happening locally and nationally with much to be positive and optimistic about, although you mightn’t know it if you relied solely on mainstream media reporting!

What a fantastic summer in Victoria with a string of events to enjoy including St Kilda’s annual Yallukit Willam Ngargee festival, Share the Spirit and Belgrave Survival Day festivals, the inaugural Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival, the Apology Day Anniversary Breakfast and the launch of the inaugural Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll.

2012: Exciting and challenging times

ahead for Reconciliation!

The year has started with a bang and 2012 is shaping up as an important year to take stock - to look back at where we’ve come from and look forward to the next steps in the journey. Forty years on the Aboriginal Tent Embassy remains a fixture on Parliaments’ lawns. This year’s anniversary shone a spotlight on the continuing fight for justice and the unfinished business of reconciliation for those prepared to look beyond media sensationalism and hype.

The business is far from finished but important steps have been achieved, and this year’s RecWeek will celebrate two of those. It has been forty-five years since over 90% of Australians voted YES in the Referendum on May 27, 1967, to finally count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Census. The last day of RecWeek, June 3

rd, will mark the 20

th anniversary of

Mabo Day and the recognition of Aboriginal land rights.

On February 13th this year we

remembered the moment four years ago that Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. We recognised the significance of that sacred and unifying moment and also that the hope and promise has yet to be fulfilled. We are still confronted by big challenges on the road to reconciliation.

The apparent bipartisan political support for the Stronger Futures legislation, despite clear objections from many Northern Territory Aboriginal communities and their supporters and the lack of evidence to support the policy is distressing, although the fight is not over yet.

Media attention has highlighted continuing challenges for the AFL in evolving club culture to value cultural contributions of Indigenous players and support them on and off the field. Uncertainty about the future of Koori schools and the slow progress in improving education outcomes for Victorian Aboriginal students has also drawn media attention in recent weeks.

Meanwhile the possibility of Constitutional Reform to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

(cont. p2)

Newsletter

Autumn

2012

Reconciliation Victoria

Level 3, 673 Bourke St,

Melbourne 3000

03 9016 0657

www.reconciliationvic.org.au

info@reconciliationvic.org.au

working towards just and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians

RecVic Co-Chair, Vicki Clark and Paul Brophy of Brotherhood of St Laurence, National Apology Breakfast, Birrarung Marr, Feb 13.

Photo: Ross Bird, BSL.

peoples provides us with an opportunity to re-kindle the community conversation and support for reconciliation. The Federal Government has received recommendations from the Expert Panel and has committed $10 million to support the community conversation and hopefully build bottom-up demand for Constitutional Change. The timing or details of a referendum remain unclear, but the funding commitment shows clear government support for progressing the campaign to engage the community.

At the local level we at RecVic are lucky to hear many great stories of cultural sharing, recognition and respect happening in our communities across the State every week. Just last weekend a group of people accepted the invitation to ‘Listen to Country – Sleep on Country’ participating in a Framlingham Aboriginal Community Tour near Warrnambool. And this week RecVic’s Aboriginal Co-Chair,

2012: Exciting and challenging times ahead for Reconciliation!

Reconciliation Victoria P

ag

e 2

of

8

Mathew Weeberg playing the didjeridu at February’s Apology Breakfast. Photo: Ross Bird, BSL

Vicki Clark, has taken a group of lucky people to her country - Mutthi Mutthi country up at Lake Mungo and Balranald - to share the culture and stories of her people.

We recognise many of you have stories too, and these stories and experiences are what inspires, energises and empowers people to action. We love hearing them and sharing them, so keep the good news coming and we’ll share through email, Facebook and newsletters at every opportunity!

Hopefully many of you have started thinking about how your community will celebrate RecWeek this year – please get in touch with us if you’d like advice or support. Thank you all for your contributions to reconciliation in Victoria, and looking forward to seeing you round the traps during RecWeek!

~ Erin McKinnon, Statewide Coordinator

What does ‘Reconciliation’ mean to the Victorian

community and where are we heading? RecVic is working on the development of

a Victorian Reconciliation Framework that we hope will reflect a common vision, understanding and action plan that Aboriginal and other Victorians can embrace across all sectors of the community.

RecVic sees this framework as necessary to create greater clarity around the definition, direction and vision for reconciliation in our state, for those in our community working towards improving relationships and understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in diverse ways including through sport, business, the arts, government and education.

In this first phase we have developed an initial ‘reconciliation framework’ concept that we are seeking Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal engagement and views on over the coming months. We will then start to engage directly with different sectors within the community to further develop and refine the framework and

start looking at ways these different sectors can adopt and implement the framework in their respective fields.

Contact us if you’d like more information or to get involved.

Email: erin.mckinnon@reconciliationvic.org.au

T: 9016 0657 /0419 943 520

Erin McKinnon (RecVic) with Paul Brophy (BSL) &

Damian O'Keefe (RecVic), Apology Anniversary

Breakfast. Photo: Ross Bird (BSL)

Reconciliation Victoria

In January 2012 the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples handed its Report to the Prime Minister, recommending that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples be recognised in the Australian Constitution.

The Panel’s report said that as well as adding a section to the Constitution to recognise the special place of Australia’s first peoples, sections of the Constitution that allow discrimination against people on the basis of race should be removed.

In February the Prime Minister announced $10 million in funding to support the community conversation on constitutional recognition. This campaign is being developed by Reconciliation Australia, which is working with a national reference group.

In our state, Reconciliation Victoria, ANTaR Victoria and VCOSS are working together on a Victorian-based campaign to engage the community on the issues of Constitutional reform. This includes:

Campaigning for the Recognition of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islanders in our Constitution

Pag

e 2

of 8

providing campaign training to members of local groups at the upcoming Reconciliation Forum on 14

th April at Fr Tuckers Room,

Brotherhood of St Laurence, Fitzroy;

producing a Constitutional Recognition Information Kit and Flyer - available from RecVic’s website;

a letter-writing campaign aimed at all Victorian-based MPs;

providing information on ANTaR Victoria’s website: http://antarvictoria.org.au/

running a workshop for the community sector on 24

th April,

organised in conjunction with VCOSS.

To get involved contact Damian O’Keefe info@reconciliationvic.org.au T: 0427 030 545, or Khristo Newall antar@antarvic.org.au T: 9483 1363

“Reconciliation

Victoria

expresses our

support for

amending the

Constitution to

reflect a

contemporary

vision of our

nation that is

embraced by all

Australians.”

Reconciliation

Victoria, Submission

to Expert Panel,

September 2011.

Download this Flyer from our

website for your next

event!

2012 so far has been a busy time for local groups, the summer months being the time for festivals and events around Victoria. On 26

th January

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group travelled to Canberra to join the celebrations for the 40

th

Anniversary of the Tent Embassy, while a number of other groups participated in Survival Day events closer to home.

A number of Eastern Metro Region groups have been active in planning a proposed walk from Coranderrk near Healesville to State Parliament, commemorating the series of journeys taken by William Barak and others to petition the government about living conditions and the treatment of the community at Coranderrk in the latter part of the 1800s. A re-enactment is being planned for later this year, with a larger scale event to be organised next year. Watch this space for further announcements.

And a very warm welcome to our newest group, the Macedon Ranges Local Reconciliation Group, formed in early 2012. If you live in that area and would like to get involved email the group’s convenor Adam Mooney adamwmooney@hotmail.com

LRG members, and RecVic and ANTaR staff and council members – Victorian Reconciliation Forum, Saturday 18th February, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Fitzroy.

The next meeting of the Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation is to be held on Monday 16th April at 7:45pm at the Heathmont Uniting Church. The group holds bi-monthly meetings which are always open to the public. The meetings usually begin with a speaker or film followed by supper, and then a business meeting. Some of the subjects to be covered in future meetings include:

Constitutional reform;

Around the traps: Local Reconciliation Group roundup

Reconciliation Victoria P

ag

e 2

of

8

Indigenous views on Reconciliation;

The Northern Territory Intervention.

Members have recently assisted at the Mullum

Mullum Gathering Place Market Day and attended

the Belgrave Survival Day Festival.

The Monash Reconciliation Group (MRG) has already had a busy year, becoming incorporated and organising a number of gatherings, including a successful Art Exhibition at the Monash Federation Centre in Oakleigh.

The group is working on a newsletter and planning to develop a website.

With its membership growing steadily, it has formed a partnership with the Oakleigh & District Historical Society to develop and publish some local history booklets. It is also engaging with Monash Council on the writing of its new Indigenous Plan. It will also be part of the Council’s planning for Reconciliation & NAIDOC Weeks.

For National Reconciliation Week the group is planning a Constitutional Reform Forum, featuring some eminent speakers – Friday 25

th

May, at St Stephen’s Church, Mt Waverley, 6pm for 6.30pm start.

The group is also planning a joint Film Event with Monash Council for NAIDOC week in July (to be finalized after Easter).

The MRG’s first ever AGM will be on Friday 19th

October 2012 at St Stephen’s Church, Mt Waverley.

The group’s members have attended a number of events including the Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation BBQ in November, REM regional meetings, Opening the Door events, etc.

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group A group of us from the Geelong region were supported by Councillor Eddy Kontelj to gain use of the Council minibus to go to Canberra to participate in the 40

th Tent Embassy event in

January. The opportunity to be part of the 40th Anniversary of such an historic event was a privilege. Below is a sample of some of the thoughts of the participants:

“It was a wonderful opportunity to be part of a group of people showing solidarity and commitment to the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Australia’s First Nation’s Peoples. The Tent Embassy has long been a living protest and symbol of the struggle for Aboriginal Rights.”

Reconciliation Victoria

“This protest has shown white Australia that many Indigenous Australians are angry… who can be surprised????”

“The coming together of peoples from all over Australia displayed everyone’s intention to discuss the way forward for Aboriginal people and acknowledgement of their Culture. I sincerely wish to extend my thanks to the organisers, volunteers, attendees, family and friends for a truly impressive show of support and true Australianism - where people look out for each other.”

“In my experience it was a peaceful, very dignified and hopeful event. We have a way to go, but I believe we will get to a place where as White / non-Indigenous Australians we can humbly be led to a new and more sustaining life together by the people who have lived here for many, many years before our arrival.”

Photos, further testimonials and more news about GOFRG can be found on its website and blog.

http://www.geelongonefire.org.au/

http://geelongonefire.blogspot.com/

Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation (PPCfR)

kicked off the year’s activities by hosting an

information stall at the Yalukit Willam Ngargee

(YWN) Indigenous Cultural festival in O’Donnell

Gardens, St Kilda on 4 February. About half a

dozen of those who visited the stall signed up to

join the group.

Members of PPCfR with Cr Bolitho of Port Phillip Council at Yalukit Willam Ngargee, Feb 2012

We continue to publish Mungo, our informative monthly newsletter. It’s sent free to members of PPCfR. Anyone interested is welcome to join for just $10.00 per year.

Forthcoming plans include:

Meeting with special guest speaker, Dorothy Blair, widow of singer Harold Blair, AM, on 17 April;

Around the Traps – cont.

Pag

e 2

of 8

Lunch with community elders to commemorate the National Day of Healing (Sorry Day) on 26 May;

Participation in events organised by the City of Port Phillip during Reconciliation Week – including the launch of the Council’s much anticipated Reconciliation Action Plan;

Liaison with schools to organise relevant programs from various Indigenous providers - ongoing.

For more information, contact, Rosemary Rule, Co-Chair, PPCfR, 9699 8804, 0418 675 734, email: rule@comcen.com.au or visit www.ppcfr.org.au

Queenscliff Reconciliation Mob:

With the support of the National Film and Sound Archive’s Black Screen Program, Queenscliff Reconciliation Mob will show short films by recognised, established Indigenous filmmakers. Each month throughout the year the local community will be able to see the fantastic range of Indigenous short dramas, comedies and documentaries.

For National Reconciliation Week we plan to build on the National Year of Reading and involve the local primary schools in various activities. The Did you know ...? series, written with the assistance of David Tournier of the Wathaurong Co-op, will be circulated around the schools as part of the students’ reading material.

Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group ran a

very well-attended National Apology Day

Breakfast at Queens Park, organised in

partnership with the Rumbalara Coop and the

Greater Shepparton Council. Speakers included

RecVic Aboriginal Co-Chair Renai Dean and

Daphne Yarram. The event gained great coverage

in the local newspaper.

On March 6th, the group ran a follow-up Close the

Gap Forum “The Next Step”, again in partnership

with Rumbalara, the Shepparton Council and

Yorta Yorta Nation. The forum was held in

response to the request of participants at the June

Close the Gap forum that there be a six monthly

follow up. It provided an opportunity to revisit

commitments made in June last year and share

experiences, stories, successes and hiccups along

the way.

During NRW SRRG will sponsor the Dungala-

Kaiela Writing Competition. The Group’s next

Conversation Hour will be held Thursday May 3rd

at the Aussie Hotel.

Reconciliation Victoria P

ag

e 6

of

8

National Apology Anniversary Breakfast

The current phase of our Reconciliation in Local Government Project is underway, and gaining much interest in the sector through the Local Government Aboriginal Parnterships Project being convened by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Local Government Victoria.

An electronic survey will be distributed to all local governments in May, and results from the survey will be included on the web-based resource that we are developing for the sector. The online resource will also showcase partnerships and agreements between Councils and Aboriginal communities and

Promoting Reconciliation through Local Government

reconciliation initiatives.

RecVic and the VLGA will again be jointly hosting a Leading Edge Forum for Local Government coinciding with National Reconciliation Week. The event will feature presentations from three Councils who will share their stories of inspiring reconciliation projects around Victoria.

From Little Things…Stories from the Sector

Thursday 7th

June, 6pm – 9pm, VLGA,

60 Leicester Street, Carlton.

Who could forget the speech that stopped the nation, when at 9am on February 13, 2008, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, addressed the nation to publicly apologise to the Indigenous people of Australia for the past injustices and wrongs done to them?

At the same time and date this year, a community breakfast event saw around 200 people gather on the banks of the Yarra at Birrarung Marr to commemorate this momentous occasion.

The event supported the ‘I feel proud today’ campaign which the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry promoted in schools across Australia.

Ian Hamm addresses the gathering at the Feb 13 Apology Breakfast, Birrarung Marr.

Photo: Ross Bird (BSL)

The event was organised in a very short time-frame due to the hard work, good will and cooperation between a number of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal

organisations and volunteers, who worked together to make it happen - Connecting Home, Link-Up, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, ANTaR Vic, Brotherhood of St Laurence, VACCA, the City of Melbourne and RecVic.

Speakers included Colin Hunter, Aunty Caroline Briggs, Vicki Clark and Executive Director of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria Ian Hamm. Sandy Greenwood read a moving poem written by her mother, Lauren Jarrett, a member of the Stolen Generation, Mathew Weegberg played the didge, and the legendary Kutcha Edwards sang and got the large crowd singing to Joe Geia’s Yill Lull.

As Ian Hamm eloquently put it: “The importance of that day for the people of this country cannot be underestimated.”

“I don’t think there are the words to capture what those words [I’m sorry] meant to us as a nation. For a single moment in time, by and large Australia was in one place with a deeper commitment that often doesn’t happen.

“It’s a day and moment in time that we should never forget. It brought everyone in this country together and was also the beginning of another journey toward healing, particularly for the Aboriginal community and Stolen Generation. We can never recreate it, but we can remember it every year.”

Reconciliation Victoria

On February 17th this year the Victorian

Government held a ceremony to recognise the first twenty inductees onto the nation’s first ever Indigenous Honour Roll. The gathering heard wonderful stories of the lives, achievements and contributions of the inductees, both well-known figures and quiet achievers.

During NRW 2012, May 27 - June 3, RecVic will build on community conversations about Constitutional Recognition as well as more broadly promoting the theme ‘Let’s recognise’…..Aboriginal voices, achievements, histories and the vibrancy of the Aboriginal community today.

RecVic will support local reconciliation groups, Aboriginal people and local governments to work together on NRW events across Victoria, including through offering small grants.

Last year around 20 local governments were involved in NRW events. This year we aim to see that number increase to 40 local governments. Already we have been approached by a number or local councils who did not run events last year.

We will also support and promote NRW events in key regional centres around the state, i.e. Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Warrnambool and Mildura.

Some of the confirmed events at present are:

National Reconciliation Week 2012 – Let’s talk Recognition

Pag

e 7

of 8

The Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll recognises “the valuable legacy of Indigenous Victorians, past and present”. The Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell presented the inductees or their representatives with a specially-made coolamon for women and shield for men, beautifully hand-crafted by local Aboriginal artist Mick Harding.

22nd

May – June 4th

: Dreaming as One – Reconciliation Week Art Exhibition. St Francis Pastoral Centre, Melbourne.

27th

May – 3rd

June: Whitehorse Council and Box Hill Community Arts Centre. Aboriginal Art Exhibition, with launch/concert event featuring Kutcha Edwards on Friday 1 June, 7pm.

Sunday May 27: Reconciliation Week Concert. City of Melb/Monash University Music Academy. Melbourne Town Hall. Contemporary Australian classical works featuring William Barton (didge player).

Sunday 27th

May: Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group “Reconciliation in the Park”.

Thurs 31st May: Songlines NRW event. Royal Melbourne Hotel, 629 Bourke St, Melbourne.

- Bart Willoughby, SKIN Choir, Massive Hip Hop Choir (more to be announced).

Visit our website for full listing.

William Barak at age 33.

Photo: Carl Walter, 1866

.”

Je Be Weng

Dancers, perform at

Reconciliation in the

Park, Geelong, NRW

2011.

Recognising Indigenous Victorians

Inaugural inductees to the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll

Alfred Bamblett Lorraine ‘Bunta’ Patten

William Barak Dorothy Peters

Geraldine Briggs AO Elizabeth Pike

Albert ‘Alby’ Clark Archie Roach

William Cooper Joan Robinson

Lester Marks Harradine Lionel Rose MBE

Merle Jackomos OAM Nessie Skuta OAM

Melva Johnson Alma Thorpe

John Stewart Murray OAM JP Joan Vickery AO

Sir Douglas Nicholls KCVO OBE JP Johnny Mullagh (Unaarrimin)

Melissa Brickell

Melissa is a descendant of the Yorta Yorta and Wiradjeri people and resides in Melbourne. She has worked as a teacher in Victoria and the NT, in Primary, Secondary, University, TAFE, Prison, Museum, the Church and for the welfare sector.

Melissa’s work, commitment and active community involvement over the last 20 years has focused on cross cultural awareness and reconciliation among Australians.

In 1989 she received a Maribyrnong City Council Reconciliation Award for advancing the rights and community life of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Melissa also has had a high profile involvement in the Stolen Generations movement in Victoria and nationally. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, Catechist Diploma, Rite of Christian Initiation Adults Certificate and a deferred Masters of Arts in Aboriginal Studies.

Melissa has volunteered tirelessly for over 20 years in the Aboriginal community. He commitments include:

Aboriginal Catholic Ministry Melbourne member;

Victorian Aboriginal Catholic Council, Melbourne Archdiocese;

Victorian Representative, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Reconciliation

Victoria

Hub Melbourne Level 3, 673 Bourke St Melbourne 3000 Phone: 03 9016 0657 E-Mail: info@reconciliationvic.org.au

working towards just and respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:

www.reconciliationvic.org.au

Catholic Council; Commissioner, National Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission.

“Reconciliation is the opportunity for positive relationships among Australians. It involves an awareness of a sense of ‘others’ in the environment around ‘you’…. and beyond. It also involves respect, and requires a strong commitment to shared understandings and undertakings.”

“I have endeavoured for many, many, years - over the years - to support greater understanding and shared undertakings such as partnerships and events between Aboriginal people and other Australians; through workshops, speaking engagements, participation in events and strong leadership.”

“It is challenging for Australians to support and pursue Aboriginal peoples’ rightful inclusion and position in their own land.”

“I joined Reconciliation Victoria because I believe that Reconciliation Victoria aspires to, and will encourage shared understandings and undertakings; encourage and promote Aboriginal inclusion, make a positive impact for good developing relationships among Aboriginal and other Australians; for the benefit of mutual respect and harmonious unison for Victorians.”

Who’s who at RecVic – meet the Council

Peter Lewis

Peter is a founding member of ANTaR and the current National President. He works at VACCA as Policy and Research Manager, and is married with 2 kids, both at university.

Peter is a big Radiohead fan – but also likes other alternate rock, jazz and classical music. He used to be in a post-punk band in the 80s. He is a passionate supporter of the Richmond Football Club.

“I don’t think a non-indigenous person can live justly on this invaded land without working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the recognition of their inherent rights and particularly their right to self-determination.”

“In 10 years’ time I’d like to see Australia as a land which recognises the rights and status of the First Peoples and a land of many treaties … and another 10 Radiohead concerts and 10 more Richmond premierships.”

Follow us on Twitter