To be held from 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week commemorates two important milestones - the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
The week will be preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May. As part of the day, Trevor Jamieson will read the book Sorry Day by Coral Vass on the Story Box library.
As part of its commitment to advancing reconciliation, the City of Ballarat is proud to be involved in a range of initiatives such as the inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony held this year.
The Ceremony has been nominated as a finalist in the Reconciliation Victoria HART Awards, which seek to identify and celebrate initiatives that are making a real difference in their communities.
The City of Ballarat also has been a recipient in the Reconciliation Victoria's Small Grants Program which is contributing to a series of videos titled, 'In this Together: Reflections on the 26 January Dawn Ceremony.' These will be posted in The Memory Atlas when completed.
Other events during National Reconciliation Week will include:
- Wednesday 27 May - Flag to be raised in the morning at Sturt Street, Queen Victoria Square
- Wednesday 27 May - Mayor's pre-recorded National Reconciliation Week message - published on the City of Ballarat Facebook page in the morning
- Wednesday 27 May - NRW2020 Book Chat - Ballarat Libraries Facebook page
- Thursday 28 May - Councillors' pre-recorded National Reconciliation Week speeches - published on the City of Ballarat Facebook page
- Friday 29 May - Ballarat Libraries Storytime featuring the Mayor reading Tiddalick the Frog who Caused a Flood. Published on the Ballarat Libraries Facebook Page
- Wednesday 3 June - Ballarat Libraries Little Languages featuring Nikki Foy - published on the Ballarat Libraries Facebook Page
"National Reconciliation Week gives all of us the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people," the Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor, said.
"Our current Reconciliation Action Plan further cements the achievements of our first two plans and outlines our innovative and aspirational strategies to further advance reconciliation while empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
"The City of Ballarat is committed to reconciliation. I hope we can all make a real difference during this time of uncertainty and anxiety and reach out to others."
