The theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, encouraging all Australians to join in the community spirit towards reconciling Country.
Each year, National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3, marking two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey. Noting the historic 1976 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
On Saturday, May 27, Brett Barnett hosted the Cary Street tree planting ceremony, the first of a series of events held by Brimbank council during the week. Mr Barnett is a proud Indigenous man who comes from the Wathaui tribe in far north Queensland.
Held on Wurundjeri land, Mr Barnett said the significance of tree planting is a nod to the importance of reconciliation and its ties to restoring the land and environment.
“It’s our culture, we live off the land and our trees are important to us,” he said.
“We are planning to add a sign with a barcode where people can scan it and read information where they can learn about healing and remedies that some of these trees have.”
Mr Barnett has lived in Cary Street for more than 20 years and as an active member of the Indigenous community, he hopes that the journey to reconciliation is one centred on empowerment.
“We’d like Indigenous people to be more recognised and have a voice,” he said.
“We want to be able to teach all cultures and walks of life about Indigenous culture. We just want people to have a good understanding of our culture and our knowledge.”
Hannah Hammoud
