Reconciliation Week in Bayside 2023
Your guide to get involved in Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week—27 May to 3 June—is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The 2023 theme, "Be a Voice for Generations," encourages Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise. We are committed to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and acknowledge that Aboriginal people have a rich and continuous connection to the Bayside area.
Learn more about Indigenous Bayside
Bayside Flag Raising Ceremony | Ellen José Student Reconciliation Awards
Saturday 27 May 9:30am
Bayside Corporate Centre,
76 Royal Avenue, Sandringham
Join us on Saturday, May 27 for a “Welcome to country” and smoking ceremony by the Traditional owners Bunurong Land Council and to raise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Flags to commemorate National Reconciliation Week. The event will also celebrate the finalists and winners of the Ellen José Student Reconciliation Awards at our flag raising ceremony.
The Ellen José Student Reconciliation Awards honours the life of Torres Strait Elder Ellen José (1951 - 2017). Ellen was a pioneer in Australia's urban Indigenous art movement and a radical activist and social justice campaigner. Her contribution to the arts and Bayside was outstanding and inspirational in raising awareness of reconciliation.
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony with the Bunurong Land Council
Saturday 3 June 10:30am-11am
Sandringham Library
Free
The Bunurong Land Council are a Traditional Owner organisation that represent the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation. They aim to preserve and protect the sacred lands and waterways of their ancestors, their places, traditional cultural practices, and stories. We are thrilled to have them come to Sandringham Library to offer a Welcome to Country and to perform a smoking ceremony.
Ngarrga (dance) presentation with Djirri Djirri
Saturday 3 June 11am-12pm
Sandringham Library
Free
Join Mandy Nicholson at Sandringham library to learn about the journey of Wurundjeri women's dance and how these dances can be created from revival language.
Be a voice for generations: writing workshop with Tony Birch
Saturday 3 June 1pm
Sandringham Library
$10
Dr. Tony Birch is an acclaimed First Nations author of award-winning books, including novels "The White Girl", "Ghost River" and "Blood", as well as poetry books and short story collections. Tony is also a climate justice and Indigenous rights activist, as well as an avid footy fan, so giving up his Saturday afternoon to run this workshop is something we really appreciate!