Reconciliation Week-celebrating Indigenous cultures across the ranges

Reconciliation Week-celebrating Indigenous cultures across the ranges

Published on 24 May 2021

National Reconciliation Week is being celebrated on 27 May – 3 June and Council is encouraging residents to deepen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and traditions.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is on Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country. These Traditional Owners and Custodians have a living culture with distinct cultural and legal rights and an ongoing connection to this Country with obligations in its management and care.

The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples continue to be active today, working to manage and care for Country and develop strong and resilient communities.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council recognises the value of sharing cultural celebrations, activities and events with the wider community, including National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week (4-11 July) each year.

Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan, which will soon be presented to Council, aims to support and reflect the reconciliation priorities of Traditional Owners, local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Council and the broader community.

Reconciliation Week’s theme this year is ‘More than a word. Reconciliation takes action’ and we encourage residents to reflect on how they can make positive change and strengthen relationships in our community.

Council encourages people to participate in various activities for Reconciliation Week:

Join a five-week Indigenous Coil Weaving course with the theme ‘Heal Country, Heal our Nation’, which commences 7 June and finishes with a drop-in exhibition of completed works during NAIDOC Week on 11 July. The workshops take place at the Woodend Community Centre, led by Dja Dja Wurrung artist Aunty Marilyne Nicholls. Session details are available on our events page. View works by Taungurung artist Maddi Moser at Council’s customer service centres in Kyneton and Gisborne. Visit a significant site in the ranges such as Hanging Rock Reserve, Mount William, Mt Macedon/Beboor or Yelka Park.

Local community groups planning their own Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week activities are encouraged to promote them via Council’s online Events Calendar. Please forward activity details to [email protected].

Council continues its commitment to reconciliation, with several activities occurring in the past year:

Council engaged the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Council Narrap Team for a Cultural burn at Daly Nature Reserve, attended by Council staff and community members. An acknowledgement of Country every day at all Council’s kindergartens. Offer a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies for significant events, including the recent arrival of new Chief Executive Officer Bernie O’Sullivan. Council officers undertaking cultural heritage training with Traditional Owners and Custodians. Council’s Environment Team with representatives from Taungurung recently visited Black Hill and Bald Hill Reserves to participate in a ‘Sharing Circle’, which was an opportunity to develop and share a common understanding of the cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge of these sites.

While they are each small steps, they continue to move us forward for a better future together.

In Reconciliation Week, Council encourages all residents to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, and take meaningful action for the better.