Reconciliation - Cr Jim Mason

Cr. Jim Mason - Reconciliation Digital Projections 2021 Launch - 21 May 2021

Council acknowledges the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who are part of the Greater Geelong community today.

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Hello everyone, thanks for having me.

Firstly, a big thank you to Nikki McKenzie and Norm Stanley for that rousing Welcome To Country and Didgeridoo performance.

I’m very excited to be here for the launch of the seventh Aboriginal Reconciliation Digital Projections as part of National Reconciliation Week 2021.

Each year there’s a mountain of work that goes into making these projections a reality…thank you to the following for their collaboration with the City:

Our hosts, Barwon Water
The Torch
The Department of Justice and Safety
The Geelong Art Gallery
The Geelong Arts Centre
The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre
And of course, Digital Projection Artist Matt Bonner.

Each year we feature stunning artwork from Barwon, Marngoneet and Karreenga Prison inmates – it is always thought-provoking, and I look forward to seeing what themes and experiences they’ll explore this year.

As you’ve heard, this year’s Reconciliation Week theme is “More Than A Word, Reconciliation Takes Action.”

I strongly urge non-Indigenous community members, organisations and governments to use this time to really think about what concrete action can be taken in the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.

Last year the Council adopted its first Reconciliation Action Plan, which sets out a number of deliverables, such as:
- Inviting local Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander community members to participate in the digital artwork display;
- Supporting an external National Reconciliation Week event;
- Creating a more respectful and inclusive environment within Greater Geelong for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
- Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment recruitment, retention and professional development.

This year we’ll also be launching the First Nations cultural heritage grants program, recognising that Traditional Owners have cared and nurtured for our land for tens of thousands of years.

Council also recently voted to write to the Prime Minister and Australian parliament in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

These actions from council are fantastic steps, but as we all know, there’s so much more work to do.

As part of my Aboriginal Affairs portfolio and involvement on the Kilangitj Aboriginal Advisory Committee, I want to continue using my privilege to amplify and make space for Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander voices.

I encourage you to do the same.

Let’s have a conversation about Reconciliation this week. Let’s listen and learn.

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RUNNING SHEET

5.45PM Welcome to Country from Nikki McKenzie and Norm Stanley

5.54PM Barwon Water speech

5.58PM Cr Mason speech

6.04PM The Torch speech

6.15PM Projections at Barwon Water

6.35PM Head over to City Hall, Gheringhap Street (east side) for projections

EVENT INFORMATION

This event celebrates National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June
Sorry Day | 26 May
Mabo Day | 3 June
Reconciliation In The Park event to be held Sunday week (30 May) in Johnstone Park from 10.00AM to 3.00PM.

Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations and importantly as a nation. At the heart of this journey are relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To our new supporters, please remember the importance of privileging and amplifying First Nations’ voices as you add your voice to calls for reconciliation and justice.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures

2021 marks twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.