NEXT week marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week in Australia – a week to celebrate and strengthen the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and other Australians.
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To honour the occasion, two free community events will be hosted in Inverell.
A screening of the film Freedom Ride will be held at the town library on Friday 2 June at 2pm.
The free screening showcases the actual events of the 1960s Freedom Ride, which saw a group of students from the University of Sydney, tour through regional towns, including Inverell, Walgett, Kempsey, Bowraville and Moree to show wider Australia the experience of Aboriginal Australians.
These students were known as the Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) and led by Arrernte man Charles Perkins from Alice Springs. The Freedom Ride film is directed by his daughter Rachel Perkins. A free afternoon tea will be provided for attendees.
Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon said the screening is an opportunity to learn more about a watershed moment in Australian history.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the referendum where Australians voted overwhelmingly to include Aboriginal people in the census. It is also the 25th anniversary of the landmark Mabo decision in the High Court,” he said.
“The Freedom Ride was an important step in heightening awareness of Aboriginal rights and also building a groundswell of support for change.”
He said Reconciliation Week was about “bringing the community together”, and invited Inverell to come along to a community fun day in Campbell Park on Saturday, June 3. Local Aboriginal artist Brent Emerson will host an art station for children, and the council will have a display and educational material focusing on reconciliation.
“The event will be very family focused. CWP Renewables who’s hosting the event has assembled a terrific line up of entertainment and fun for children and we’re delighted to be joining the program,” Cr Harmon said.
Leading up to the day, the council is also asking community members to paint their own ‘reconciliation hand’, to install as a sea of hands in Campbell Park on the day.
“On Saturday, we will be placing the hands on display on the lawns of Campbell Park as a symbol of our local reconciliation story and awarding prizes to those who have prepared a hand”.
Inverell District Family Services is already on board with the initiative, with children painting and decorating a colourful array of hands ahead of the event.
The council welcomed all community members to paint or decorate a hand.
Cardboard hands are available at Inverell Library, Council Administration Centre and IDFS or residents can create their own and bring along on the day.
Further information is available from the Inverell Council Facebook page or by calling 672 88288.