Voice, Treaty, Truth. Let’s work together for a better future, was the theme for a frank and informative panel discussion at the Gulaga Reconciliation Group’s NAIDOC event in the Central Tilba Big Hall on Saturday July 13.
Above: left to right, Denis Muller, (Ros Field is obscured), Warren Foster, Rodney Kelly, Lynne Thomas and Lynette Goodwin. Photos by Sean Burke
A full house of 160 people listened attentively to the panellists, Ros Field, Chairperson of the Gulaga National Park Board of Management, Warren Foster, actor and cultural advisor to the National Museum of Australia, Rodney Kelly, lecturer in Aboriginal Culture and activist for the repatriation of the Gweagel artefacts, Lynne Thomas, Aboriginal Education Officer, Narooma Primary School and Lynette Goodwin, Director, Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services.
The audience were receptive to the explanation that Voice is not only that of Aboriginal peoples but of the ancestors, the land and waters, the animals and plants and the artefacts, and that willingness to listen to that voice and accept the Truth of our shared history was key to any meaningful recognition.
Working together were Cheryl Davison and Annie Bryant who collaborated to present a moving and reflective storytelling, in which Cheryl shared her family’s understanding of the Creation Story, and Annie played and sang her composition set to Cheryl’s poetry. Their creativity and heart deeply touched everyone present.
Informative displays, artwork by the children of the Little Yuin Pre-School, a warmly decorated hall and a generous and delicious afternoon tea provided by the Tilba CWA all contributed to a sense of coming together with respect and gratitude.
The Gulaga Reconciliation Group sincerely thanks Shanna Provost, MC, Denis Muller, panel moderator and Brendan Muller, sound technician, for their professionalism and sensitivity. The event was partly funded by Aboriginal Affairs, NSW, and generously supported by The Triangle Community Newspaper, The Cobargo Community Association(Bowerbird), The Tilba Chamber of Commerce, The Tilba CWA and The Tilba Market Committee.
Above: left to right, Denis Muller, and Ros Field
Above: left to right, Annie Bryant, Shanna provost, Cheryl Davison
