The Gannawarra to celebrate National Reconciliation Week

Published on 14 May 2024

Celebrations to mark National Reconciliation Week will occur within the Gannawarra Shire later this month, highlighted by the annual Reconciliation Walk through the streets of Kerang and an event at the Kerang Memorial Hall.

Gannawarra Shire Council, in partnership with Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Northern District Community Health and the Kerang Elders and Emerging Leader Group, have worked together to organise a morning of activities on Wednesday, 29 May.

“Kerang is renowned for its National Reconciliation Week celebrations, which enables residents to learn more about First Nations histories and cultures, and to build relationships and respect as we continue our journey towards reconciliation,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June, is Now More Than Ever, which recognises that the work towards reconciliation now more than ever needs to continue.”

Festivities will begin with a flag raising ceremony outside the Kerang Council Building in Victoria Street at 9.30am, before local leaders and residents walk to the Kerang Memorial Hall via Wellington, Fitzroy, Scoresby and Nolan streets.

Events occurring at the Kerang Memorial Hall will begin at 10am with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, storytelling by local group, Tyipen Kwe, featuring the story, Our Home, Our Heartbeat, and music and storytelling from Kinja, featuring Wamba Wamba Elder, Uncle Ron Murray, and Sarah James. A free morning tea will follow proceedings.

Families not able to attend the Reconciliation Week Walk will be able to experience the story Our Home, Our Heartbeat by visiting the StoryWalk set up at Atkinson Park, Kerang between 30 May and 13 June.

Reconciliation Week across Gannawarra is supported by Council, Northern District Community Health, Kerang District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Mallee District Aboriginal Service, the Kerang Elders and Emerging Leader Group, and Victoria Police.

Kerang’s Reconciliation Week celebrations are funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as part of the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Program.

“Council and our partners acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land, the Barapa Barapa, the Wamba Wamba, and the Yorta Yorta peoples, and invite the wider community to join us in walking and celebrating First Nations history and culture together as part of this year’s Reconciliation Week celebrations,” Mayor Stanton said.