Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will welcome the Surf Coast community to Country in Torquay on January 26 next year.
The event will return for a second year from 5.30am at the Cosy Corner to promote reflection at Pilk Purriyn, or sunrise, and deep listening to historic truth-telling.
Wadawurrung Elder Aunty Mary Shuttleworth said the event would help the community understand the trauma, loss and hurt experienced by the First Peoples in history.
“Pilk Purriyn meaning sunrise is symbolic of a new day. Through truth telling, Wadawurrung People will be able to share our history and the story of the world’s oldest living culture,” she said.
“It is an opportunity to move forward and give others a greater understanding of why we invite them to koling wada ngal – walk alongside to achieve self-determination.”
Surf Coast Shire Council mayor Liz Pattison said January 26 was a “day of sorrow rather than celebration” for First Nations people.
“Council is proud to support Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and the Pilk Purriyn event, respectfully acknowledging so much loss and hurt,” she said.
“Our community demonstrated earlier this year a profound wish to participate in deep listening and to be there as allies for First Nations people.
“We encourage community members to again take this opportunity to recognise truths and a cultural richness spanning over 60,000 years.”
Pilk Purriyn will begin at 5.30am on January 26, next year, at the Torquay Cosy Corner and will feature a traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking and dance ceremonies.
Organisers encourage people looking to attend the free event to register at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/PilkPurriyn
