(17/6/2019) One Day in Fremantle wins national reconciliation award

The City of Fremantle’s One Day in Fremantle event has been recognised with an Australian Government award for promoting Indigenous reconciliation.

One Day in Fremantle took out the Promoting Indigenous Recognition category at the 2019 National Awards for Local Government in Canberra today.

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt and the City’s Aboriginal Engagement Officer Brendan Moore were presented with the award by the federal Minister for Local Government Mark Coulton.

Mayor Pettitt said he was thrilled the City’s efforts to establish the One Day event had received national recognition.

“Our intention with One Day was to create an inclusive, family-friendly event where all members of the community felt comfortable to celebrate what’s great about being Australian,” Mayor Pettitt said.

 “I said after the first One Day concert that it was the best event I had ever been involved with. The spirit among the crowd and the sense of belonging and community was a beautiful experience.

“It was never about being anti-Australian or divisive. It was about encouraging people to come out and enjoy Australia’s diversity, bringing people together and promoting reconciliation - which is why I’m so pleased the event has received this award.”

The City of Fremantle first staged the One Day in Fremantle event in January 2017.

The event starts with a traditional smoking ceremony and other Aboriginal cultural activities at Bathers Beach before the focus shifts to the One Day concert at the Esplanade Reserve.

In its first three years the event has featured major Australian artists like Dan Sultan, John Bulter, Kate Miller-Heidke, Montaigne and Kevin Parker from Tame Impala.

It has also showcase emerging Aboriginal artists like Baker Boy, Adrian Eagle and Emily Warramara.

To watch the promo video for this year’s One Day in Fremantle click here.