In 2020, National Reconciliation Week marks 20 years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation.
From 27 May – 3 June, National Reconciliation Week is about strengthening relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme is In This Together, set long before the events of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19.
Mayor Clare McLaughlin said that building relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week was an action under Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan, launched in December 2019.
“Reconciliation Week is vey important for our community and I’m excited that we’ve found ways to mark it and connect while maintaining social distancing.”
“Our nation has certainly been tested this year,” said Mayor McLaughlin.
“While we are being forced apart for health reasons, we’ve been brought together with a common goal, to fight the coronavirus. In many ways Reconciliation Week is about bringing people together too, as we look towards building a better more equitable nation.
Whyalla Council is marking National Reconciliation Week with two major events, re-designed to comply with social distancing rules.
One of the events is a presentation by Paul Mazourek, Council’s Tourism Assets Development Officer.
Titled “Dreamtime in Whyalla – Aboriginal stories related to Whyalla, their European counterparts, variations and common ground,” the presentation tells of the incredibly rich Aboriginal dreamtime stories of our region.
To view the presentation on Council’s website please click here.
The presentation will also be listed on Reconciliation Australia and History SA’s websites.
To find out more about ‘Dreamtime in Whyalla’ please contact Paul Mazourek on 0419 212 077
The second event is the delivery of an interactive public artwork by local artist Stacey Brougham.
"Growing up as a lighter skinned Aboriginal girl, I sometimes struggled with feeling connected to my culture, but as a young woman I have discovered that painting and designing art inspired by traditional Aboriginal artwork helps me feel connected to my culture. I believe collaborative art embodies reconciliation, as we can share and express our cultures together to create something new for all to enjoy" said Ms Brougham.
Ms Brougham will paint the outline of a huge snake at Civic Park and Whyalla community members and local school children will be invited to colour it in with chalk.
Work will begin on the outline from Wednesday 27 May and be ready for the weekend Sat 30 & Sun 31 May.
The community are welcome to chalk in their own stories and contribute to the finished artwork (keeping to social distancing restrictions).
Council’s Arts and Events Team will also be there for public particpation for people to paint their reconciliation stories Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (1st – 3rd June) from 3:45pm – 5:30pm, all equipment and paint supplied.
To find out more about the Interactive Public Artwork please contact Deb Hughes on 0409 906 545.