Redlands Coast strengthens its everyday commitment to reconciliation

National Reconciliation Week encourages people to think about reconciliation as part of their everyday lives, and Redland City Council is proudly helping in that fundamental daily commitment.

Mayor Karen Williams said the week, that runs from Saturday 27 May to Saturday 3 June, always held strong significance for Redlands Coast residents.

“Reconciliation week provides a time for locals to pause and recognise the great social, cultural and spiritual importance of the Quandamooka People,” Cr Williams said.

“As Traditional Owners of much of Redlands Coast, the Quandamooka People have lived on the lands and seas surrounding Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) for at least 21,000 years.

“This year, National Reconciliation Week is about encouraging us all to find tangible ways to make a difference in our homes, our workplaces and when we are out and about.

“It is about making reconciliation a part of what we do and say, every single day, and I am truly proud that this is the belief and practise that we encourage in our Council workplaces.

“Council’s internal Reconciliation Action Plan was endorsed in mid-2019 and we are incredibly heartened by how the plan continues to develop a culture of inclusiveness and celebration, not only within our organisation, but across the community in which we operate.

“Our committee of stakeholders who are working towards forming an external Reconciliation Action Plan by July next year, will actually hold their second meeting, appropriately, during this year’s National Reconciliation Week.”

Cr Williams said there would be several cultural touchpoints occurring throughout the week that were great examples of how Redlands Coast was maintaining awareness of reconciliation.

Quandamooka man Matt Burns will be sharing his stories with Redlands Coast’s youngest generation at an event at Cleveland Library on Tuesday 30 May.

He will be teaching children (aged 3 to 5) about the history behind some of the traditional dances of the Quandamooka People, and then dancing with the children to the sounds of the didgeridoo.

Matt has been sharing traditional Quandamooka dance, stories and knowledge for more than 20 years. To book a spot for Matt’s show go to: redland.qld.gov.au/LibraryWhatsOn

In the lead up to National Reconciliation Week, the cast and crew of a new production of the ground-breaking First Nations musical, The Sunshine Club, have been rehearsing at Redland Performing Arts Centre.

First performed in 1999, the musical was written and directed by Quandamooka man and lauded Indigenous writer/director Wesley Enoch.

Set in 1946, it tells the story of Aboriginal soldier Frank Doyle, who returns home to Brisbane after serving in World War II, to find that, while the world may have changed, the same attitudes and prejudices still exist at home.

The new production stars Garret Lyon, Claire Warrillow, Roxanne McDonald, Dale Pengelly, Naarah, Tibian Wyles, Trent Owers, Colin Smith, Samantha LeClaire and Jade Lomas-Ronan, who wrap up their three-week rehearsing stint at RPAC on Saturday 27 May before taking it on a national tour via some 135 venues.

They return to RPAC on Wednesday 13 September to perform this acclaimed musical. For bookings to The Sunshine Club go to: rpac.com.au

Coinciding with the last day of National Reconciliation Week, Saturday 3 June, is Council’s Environment and Community Fair in the beautiful surrounds of IndigiScapes at Capalaba from 9am to 2pm.

Indigenous culture will feature strongly at the event with the day kicking off with a Welcome to Country delivered by Quandamooka Elder Margie Grenfell, smoking ceremony, dance and didgeridoo performance by Quandamooka man Jahlow Walker and the Yulu Burri Ba Dancers.

Yalanji woman of song, Deline Briscoe, from the Daintree Region of Far North Queensland will perform on the outdoor stage during the day. She will be backed by First Nations and PNG percussion from Airileke Ingram.

There also will be natural fibre weaving displays with Minjerribah artist Paula Boosamra alongside Maori weavers Danny and Natalie Horsford of Currawong Fibre Arts. More information:   IndigiScapes Environment and Community Fair at Eventbrite.