Advertisement
The Blackwood Reconciliation Group extends a warm invitation to you, your family and friends to join us at our annual Reconciliation Walk, held on National Sorry Day, Sunday May 26, 2024 from 11:30am - 4pm.
WHAT IS THE EVENT ABOUT?
Held on National Sorry Day, Sunday May 26 2024, the Blackwood Reconciliation Walk is an important community event uniting and connecting Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in commemorating the Stolen Generations, and marking the start of National Reconciliation Week which runs from 27 May to 3 June. A full outline of the program, as well as details of the walk location and map is listed below. National Sorry Day is held to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations survivors and reflect on how all Australians can all assist in healing. The walk provides an opportunity for healing following the National Voice referendum, it will honour and amplify the voices of many former residents of the Colebrook Training Home for Aboriginal Children and celebrate future opportunities for Reconciliation including the establishment of the inaugural SA First Nations Voice to Parliament. The Walk honours the theme of National Reconciliation Week: ‘Now More than ever’ as a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.
THIS YEAR’S WALK MARKS SPECIAL ANNIVERSARIES
This year’s walk is of particular significance, marking 100 years since the first removals of First Nations children under the auspices of the United Aborigines Mission in Oodnadatta, South Australia, in April 1924 and the commencement of a journey via Quorn, here to Eden Hills at the former Colebrook Training Home for Aboriginal Children in the 1940s. This year also marks 30 years since the beginnings of the Blackwood Reconciliation Group, with the start of the listening, learning and relationship building needed to form ongoing relationships. This project is proudly supported by the Healing Foundation and the City of Mitcham’s Grants Program.
WHERE AND WHEN IS THE WALK HELD?
The walk starts at 11:30 AM at 358 Shepherds Hill Rd at the Gladstone Road Car park (on the corner of Gladstone Rd and Shepherds Hill Rd) and extends down the footpath, culminating at the Colebrook Reconciliation Park (See map of walk on Google maps) where the official event will commence at 12:30 PM as outlined below.
THE PROGRAM OF ACTIVITY
* Welcome to Country
* Dance performance by Dusty Feet Mob, a young Aboriginal dance group from Port Augusta
* Hearing from Aboriginal leaders and other dignitaries including the Governor of South Australia, the honourable Frances Adamson
* Contributing to the Sea of Hands art installation
* Singing by local primary school choirs and kindergartens in Belair, Coromandel Valley and Eden Hills
* Child friendly workshops and activities including weaving with Southern Elders Weaving group, playing bush games and Knucklebones (historically these were played by former Colebrook Children’s Training home residents)
* Listening to the former residents stories on the listening posts and sharing the space with their descendants
* BBQ, catering and coffee
This project is proudly supported by the Healing Foundation and the City of Mitcham’s Grants Program.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Participants are invited to wear clothes or bring banners/flags that support the National Sorry Day theme and are encouraged to wear appropriate clothes for the weather (wet weather gear if needed), and bring a picnic rug, sunscreen and water. Food will be available onsite or you can BYO picnic.
HELP PROMOTE OUR EVENT
We would appreciate your support to extend our invitation to your staff and community by:
* Sharing our Blackwood Reconciliation Walk Facebook Event invitation on social media or creating your own post with our social media event graphic (see below)
* printing and putting up our poster in your local workplace or community (see below)
* Emailing your colleagues, friends and family using our brief event summary with the Blackwood Reconciliation Walk Facebook Event invitation
* Including a blurb in your local newsletter
POSTERS AND SOCIAL MEDIA RESOURCES
In this folder are resources for you to use to help promote our event: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HltGzeuo1mjUjvsMsYXzO9WWIw8hc2uE
Including:
* Event poster - digital format for socials and email
* Event poster - for printing LARGE
* Newsletter article
* Brief event summary
SPONSORS
This project is proudly supported by the Healing Foundation and the City of Mitcham’s Grants Program. We thank them for their invaluable support.
MORE QUESTIONS?
If you have more questions or requests - please contact us via Blackwood Reconciliation Group email ([email protected]) or via our Facebook page.
THANK YOU
Thank you for your support, we look forward to many of you joining us in the spirit of Reconciliation.
Ngaityalya, (with thanks)
Blackwood Reconciliation Group
Advertisement
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Colebrook Reconciliation Park, Colebrook Reconciliation Park, Shepherds Hill Rd, Eden Hills SA 5050, Australia,Adelaide, South Australia
