City of Fremantle recognises National Reconciliation Week
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From 27 May to 3 June, the City of Fremantle along with the rest of Australia will recognise National Reconciliation Week and reflect on their journey towards creating a more inclusive, caring and reconciled nation.
The 2021 National Reconciliation Week theme is More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, which urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
This year also marks 20 years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.
Reconciliation Week is preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May, which acknowledges and recognises members of the Stolen Generation and commemorates the anniversary of the 1997 landmark Bringing Them Home report tabled in Federal Government.
Fremantle Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the City was proud of its meaningful progress towards genuine reconciliation with the local Aboriginal community.
“Out of the 19 actions in our first Walyalup Reconciliation Action Plan, 11 have been implemented and eight are on track to be achieved by 2022,” Cr Sullivan said.
“The City is also working closely with neighbouring councils Melville and Cockburn in the development of our next Reconciliation Action Plan.
“Across Fremantle, the cultural presence of the Nyoongar community is becoming more prominent in projects such as the new Walyalup Civic Centre, which will be celebrating and acknowledging language and culture in and around the building and public art realm.
“The Fremantle Arts Centre has demonstrated the growing appreciation of Aboriginal art in our community through the Revealed Art Market online, and the development of an interpretation strategy for the Roundhouse is a significant step in truth-telling of our local history.”
In recognition of National Reconciliation Week, the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre is organising a couple of community activities including a Cultural Conversations session on 27 May and a Bush Pharmacy event on 3 June. Visit the Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre’s Facebook page to learn more.
Members of the public still have time to nominate for the City’s Sealin Garlett Community Leadership Award, which honours the late Reverend Sealin Garlett and celebrates the achievements of those who have demonstrated outstanding contributions in reconciliation and community leadership.
Nominations close 31 May, and the award winner will be announced as part of the City’s NAIDOC Week celebrations being held from Sunday 4 to Sunday 11 July 2021. Click here to download the nomination form.