(INTRODUCTORY JINGLE)
AUNTY JANETTE: (SPEAKS ABORIGINAL)
To each and every one of you, thank you.
Reconciliation has come a long way. We've still got a long way to go.
But it's unbelievable how far we've come.
I wish that my parents were here to enjoy this.
I'm well cared for, and well looked after.
But as I said, I wish both my mommy and daddy were here.
I think they would have loved this.
So, thank you.
Thank you.
SUE ROBERTSON: For me, reconciliation is about listening better,
gaining understanding and then, acting on it.
LAURA BROWN: So, for me, It's pretty hard to pin down to one word
but I'd go with understanding and action.
GARETH OGILVE: On one hand, I associate reconciliation with the concept
that we're all familiar with; and that's closing the gap.
And it's an ongoing issue that will needs to be addressed
over decades to come.
It's actually frustrating to see that gap widen in some areas,
because all that does is exasperate the crisis situation for those affected.
Then, on the other hand, I associate reconciliation
with the move towards recognition of indigenous sovereignty, customary law,
concepts of land ownership, and governance.
PENNY SCOTT: The first word that comes to my mind when I think of reconciliation
is truth and justice because we're walking together in truth and justice.
And celebrating our differences because it's OK to be different
in our own special ways.
CHRIS MORAITIS: The first word clearly is truth,
that is coming to terms with the facts and the history.
and nderstanding is the starting point for reconciliation,
FINBAR PIPER: Voice, treaty truth.
TAMSYN HARVEY: Hello and welcome to national reconciliation week for 2020.
I'd like to acknowledge that we're meeting today on the land of
the Nanowar people and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
As many of you will be aware, the dates of this event
commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey.
The successful 1967 referendum and the High Cour Marbow decision
Over the course of the next week,
our indigenous employee network and friends of the netwrok
are hosting a variety of fantastic events, activities and speakers.
These events are designed to encourage all of us,
whether working from home or in the office,
to engage and learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.
So, be sure to check out the calendar of events in my email.
As we find ourselves in these unusual and often isolated circumstances
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's reconciliation week theme
is, quite fittingly, 'In this together'.
I'm excited about the opportunity this presents for us
to come together and reflect on our role, both as individuals
and as an organization to support reconciliation.
As the theme suggests, each and every one of us have an important part
to play in this.
Of course, reconciliation doesn't just happen for one week of the year.
With our sixth Reconciliation Action Plan launching next month,
our journey towards reconciliation is always progressing.
I encourage you all to take the time to connect and enjoy
the events planned for this week.
And in doing so, reflect on your ongoing role in the journey
towards a fully reconciled Australia.
MAN: To me, 'in this together' means acknowledging that we all have a
role to play regardless of who we are, where we're from, or what we do.
We all share responsibility to challenge assumptions and practice respect.
But we also all share a cause
to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history,
CHRIS: 'In this together' really reflects the fact that we're in the same country
at the same time and the same period of history.
We all got to understand the collective responsibility to
take our country forward.
SUE: I think one thing that 2020 has shown us is that
we are all in this together
in terms of what we have been facing as the Australian community,
whether it be the impact of bushfires, or
the incredible challenge of the pandemic
And I think, for me,
reconciliation requires me and each of us to take responsibility
to do the small steps that we can do.
LAURA: For me, it's about all Australians taking responsibility for reconciliation
and for finding a path forward together.
PENNY: The theme of being in this together in terms of what it means to me.
It means we're a community despite our differences.
And it's about coming together because we're for one and all.
GARETH: Personally, what I'm aiming to do this year to help achieve reconciliation.
That is to help implement many of the family measures that
AGD prep plan proposes.
LAURA: I'm really keen to learn more about local Aboriginal history
and culture in my area, Nanowar country.
PENNY: The one thing I'm planning on doing differently this year
is to have more conversations about reconciliation
. And what that means practically for people on the ground,
because it's the sum of all the tiny actions that makes a better society,
and community for everyone
MAN: I'm new to camera, so this year, I'm going to make more effort
to learn about the people and culture of the land on which I live and work
and I'm going to consider how this learning could enrich my life
and the lives of the people whom I live and work with.
PENNY: One of the things as a leader I've been trying to do differently this year
is to think about how we can galvanize
all the talent and expertise that the department has
to support indigenous community organizations,
particularly in the area of law, and court work.
CHRIS: I've had the advantage of visiting play festivals like
gamma, participating in German; and I've encouraged many of our
colleagues to also undertake those activities.
It's a real eye opener, and understanding in appreciating indigenous culture
And so, I'm really happy to hear them the last few weeks
we finalized our cultural awareness training. And hopefully,
all of our staff can take advantage of that facility,
especially in the remote working environment we're in at the moment.
JANEY: I'm Janey Kuzma and I'm here with friends at Ricketts point marine sanctuary
celebrating reconciliation.
Their traditional line is this land of the boomerang people;
and I pay my respects to elder's past, present and emerging.
This year, the theme of reconciliation week is we're all in this together.
For me, that means listening and learning.
For thousands of years, Boomerang women and children congregated in this area
during special periods in summer and spring
I hope everyone has a chance to connect this reconciliation week,
and be part of the journey. Thanks.