Glenelg Shire Prepares To Celebrate Indigenous Heritage

INDIGENOUS heritage will be celebrated in the Glenelg Shire next week as part of National Reconciliation Week.

Glenelg Shire mayor Karen Stephens said National Reconciliation Week marked two important milestones in Australian history: the anniversary of the 1967 referendum that recognised the right of Aboriginal people to vote in Australia and the anniversary of the High Court Mabo decision.

“National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds upon the respectful relationships that exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians,” Cr Stephens said.

“Our local events are an important way for us to continue to build upon those relationships locally.”

Cr Stephens said the free community event was one of many projects to have stemmed from the Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership Agreement between Glenelg Shire Council, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, Dhauwurd-Wurrung Elderly and Community Health Service and the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

The event will also feature speeches from local secondary college students and performances by Gunditjmara singer Skye Taikato and Heywood and District Secondary College’s year 7 Aboriginal language class. It will be held at the Portland Civic Hall on Friday, May 31, from 11.30am.
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Local Gunditjmara woman and Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council chairwoman Denise Lovett will join Portland community member Andrew Govanstone at the event.

Those wanting to attend need to RSVP by May 27 by emailing llovett-murray@glenelg.vic.gov.au or phone 5522 2243.