A host of events are planned for National Reconciliation Week in Mount Alexander Shire – starting this Sunday with a special Sorry Day commemoration at Harcourt.
Local Indigenous elder Aunty Julie McHale will be keynote speaker for Sunday’s Harcourt Sorry Day event hosted by Mount Alexander Shire Council.
“This is an opportunity for all of us to take some time and think about how we can contribute towards reconciliation in Australia,” Mount Alexander Shire mayor Cr Bronwen Machin said.
“There are plenty of opportunities to learn something new or gain a different perspective at the reconciliation events planned through the week.
“Aunty Julie is very well known and respected within our community. I thank her for her courage to share her story on this important day,” Cr Machin said.
“Harcourt was the location of the first Sorry Day event in our shire, back in 1998. It’s pleasing to be able to return there for the 21st anniversary.”
Sunday’s Sorry Day commemoration will be held from 10.30am at Harcourt’s Stanley Park.
Other local activities include film screenings at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal, an exhibition at Castlemaine’s Market Building, storytelling at the town’s library, plenty of bush tucker, tea and bikkies, a peace choir performance and an Indigenous history walk led by Uncle Rick Nelson around Castlemaine next Wednesday morning.
The program was developed by Nalderun Upper Loddon, consisting of representatives of the local Indigenous community, community organisations, service providers and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
More details are available on Nalderun’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nalderun, the Civic Centre, Maldon Neighbourhood House and Castlemaine Library or by calling the council on 5471 1700.
The theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, May 26-June 2, is Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage.
