Tasmania’s No.1 tourist attraction to host Reconciliation Week perform

Published on 26 May 2023

The residents of Hobart and the wider community will have the chance to support and participate in Reconciliation Week at Salamanca Market this Saturday.

At Salamanca, Aboriginal Community Member Trish Hodge and Nita Education dancers will be showing people how to perform a cultural ‘Emu Dance’.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said now was the time to have important conversations.

“Reconciliation is about telling the truth of our history and understanding what it meant for Aboriginal people and their culture,” Cr Reynolds said.

“Reconciliation means not shying away this history and celebrating the survival of our first nations culture.

“Respect and recognition of our First Nations is something I’m proud that we do in many ways at the City of Hobart.

“Our support for the Voice to Parliament is the latest step that we’ve taken to support national recognition of Aboriginal people and their voices in our constitution.”

Ms Hodge said the importance of Reconciliation Week should not be downplayed.

“Reconciliation is about the importance of everyone coming together and sharing culture,” Ms Hodge (pictured) said.

“It is the oldest living culture on earth and something everyone should be proud of and everyone should learn about.

“It is great the Hobart City Council is onboard with wanting to support culture and share culture as well. We are definitely very proud to come together and share our culture with hopefully thousands of people.”

Ms Hodge said the ‘Emu Dance’ was of cultural significance to Tasmania and the First Nations community.

“The Emu Dance is a traditional dance we do and also highlights the fact Tasmania had its own emu that is no longer here unfortunately due to the British eating them all when they first arrived,” Ms Hodge said.

“Not many people know we had our very own emu that was a lot smaller than the mainland emu, but we still keep its story alive and celebrate with dance.”

Hobart’s Welcoming and Inclusive City Portfolio Chair Cr Dr Zelinda Sherlock said the capital was proud to provide such support.

“The City acknowledges the significant contribution the First Nations community has made and continues to make to Hobart,” Cr Dr Sherlock said.

There will also be demonstrations of how to make rope bracelets using native grasses at Salamanca.

All activities are free, and children and families are encouraged to join in and learn something new.

The performance and demonstration will be on the Salamanca Lawns, this Saturday from 10am to 12 pm proudly presented by Nita Education and the City of Hobart.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week in 2023 is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ and encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives as we live, work and socialise.