.jpg)
.jpg)
The time for truth-telling, and speaking with courage
May 27, 2022
By Peter Holmes
About 150 people converged on Southcourt in the Civic Precinct on Friday morning for the lighting of a Flame of Hope and Reconciliation inside a cauldron.
The flame had earlier been lit inside a miner's lamp at a smoking ceremony at CSU in Orange and walked to Southcourt by a large group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
The cauldron will burn from May 27 until June 3, in parallel with Reconciliation Week.
"These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively," said Reconciliation Australia.
"Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples."
Last year Reconciliation Australia "encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year".
For Reconciliation Week 2022 they are asking everyone to "make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where they live, work, play and socialise".
Among the audience at Southcourt were Indigenous Elders, many Indigenous members of the community, and dozens of non-Indigenous members of the community.
The Flame of Hope and Reconciliation was the idea of local real estate agent Chris Gryllis.
With the help of Wiradjuri Elder Uncle Neil Ingram, Gryllis' dream became a reality on Friday morning.
Uncle Neil and Chris Gryllis both spoke at the event, which featured Indigenous dancers and bush tucker.
We hope you enjoy our photos.
Comments