Community talk: truth-telling and reconciliation
We were excited to host a community talk at Kyneton Town Hall as part of Reconciliation Week in 2022.
Special guest speakers included Brent Ryan, Assistant Director Education at Yoorrook Justice Commission, and Nicole Findlay CEO Reconciliation Victoria.
Brent shared stories and raised awareness of the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, who have recently begun the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria. Nicole spoke of the work of Reconciliation Victoria, Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s recent Reconciliation Action Plan and ignited our thinking around the ongoing work of reconciliation in our community.
The event, which also featured a Welcome to Country, was recorded and is available to view in two parts below.
Part 1
Part 2
Local students perform Reconciliation Now
Students from Kyneton Primary School gathered outside the town hall to perform as part of National Reconciliation Week 2022.
Community Round Table
A Community Round Table event was held on 7 June 2022 at the Woodend Community Centre. It involved Council engaging with our local community by having conversations about what we can do in partnership to progress Reconciliation. Dennis Batty, local Taungurung man and member of Council’s RAP working group, was the guest speaker. Dennis’ heartfelt presentation included his own stories about his family’s (local) history, his own truth telling and what Reconciliation would look like to him.
Inspired by Dennis’ stories, Councillors Anderson, Pearce and Death, staff and local community members, including a group of young people from Council’s Leaders in the Loop program had conversations and shared their ideas about how the community can support Reconciliation in the Macedon Ranges. A significant number of those attending have signed up to continue the conversation and explore what actions can be taken. The Community Development team will be supporting this process.
Pictured below: A graphic recording of this event, by local resident Nelle Pierce and Leaders in the Loop (from left to right Ruby Rovere, Meg Walker, Anna Tatton and Ebony Mortimer).