Geelong’s Reconciliation in the Park celebrates bringing together the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-First Nations communities during National Reconciliation Week.
Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group project programmer Nikki McKenzie said she was glad the community had previously well received the event on Sunday, May 28, at Johnstone Park.
“It was originally an idea from an uncle who’s no longer with us and he had a vision of bringing people together harmoniously,” she said.
“It’s absolutely lovely to see all of our local community come out and it’s even more wonderful to see the wider community of non-First Nations people come and embrace our beautiful and special culture.”
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is Be a Voice for Generations, and Ms McKenzie said, “we can wipe out racism by changing our voice”.
“I think that Aboriginal culture should be embraced and celebrated 365 days of the year,” she said.
“It’s about educating yourself and using your voice to be wise and make a change now for the future.”
Ms McKenzie said the event would be a “really fun day” featuring free Aboriginal cultural activities, stalls, performances, and a barbecue.
She said it was important to have events that recognised the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and encouraged everyone to “Come on down to Rec in the Park”.
“It gets to show the beauty of our people and what we can share with them and understand our history here,” she said.
“It is such a positive happy environment, and it really warms my heart to be able to stand back and know that I helped bring that event together,” she said.
Reconciliation in the park is a free event from 10am to 3pm.
