Latrobe Valley’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities got together to enjoy activities, a cup of tea and live music to mark Reconciliation Week.
Reconciliation Week is about learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history and sharing that knowledge.
Morwell’s Central Gippsland Aboriginal Health Services held a special morning tea and flag raising ceremony to mark Sorry Day, part of Reconciliation Week.
CGAHS social wellbeing coordinator coordinator Hilton Guis said Reconciliation Week provided a great opportunity for the community to get together and dispel some of the negative stereotypes and fears bandied around about Indigenous people.
Mr Guis said it was important to mark Sorry Day in Morwell which was hit hard by past government policy.
“It’s important because of Gippsland’s mission history. We had the first concentration camp at Lake Tyers when Aboriginal people were forcibly removed from their families,” Mr Guis said.
“The impact of past government policy on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to be significant because of the extreme gaps in chronic disease, early mortality and life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.” Reconciliation Week celebrations kicked-off in Traralgon with a live concert and community lunch featuring local band Black Satin and singer songwriter Kutcha Edwards.
