More than 200 people gathered at Leagues Club Park on June 2 for a major celebration of Reconciliation Week. [Video article included]
With the theme Be Brave Make Change, the week continued from May 27-June 3.
Coast Shelter invited the community to come together at the park to celebrate First Nations culture and promote reconciliation, with many heeding the call.
The event featured cultural performances from The Glen Dancers, a smoking ceremony and coffee served by the Shelter’s CSespresso social enterprise.
Coast Shelter First Nations Co-ordinator, Peter Downie, said it was heartwarming to see so many celebrating the oldest culture in the world.
“At Coast Shelter I am guiding the whole business without any barriers towards being culturally competent,” Downie said.
“This is a culture which is so interesting – we should all be proud of it.”
Downie said multiple organisations had donated $500 towards the day, with all of the funds to be passed on to The Glen and Mingaletta.
Coast Shelter CEO, Michael Starr, said he was shocked at how many people had turned up to not only acknowledge their First Nations brothers and sisters on the Coast, but more importantly think about how we can make things “a whole lot better” across the country for Indigenous residents.
“For quite a long time we’ve seen too many young people and women with young children involved in our homelessness and domestic violence services,” he said.
“We needed to make change and we have done that with a dedicated First Nations committee comprising our staff, community members and professional Indigenous health and employment workers.
“We have a long way to go but have made huge changes in the way we work with our First Nations community, acknowledge their needs and listen.”
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, said the day was an example of the community’s compassion, humanity and unity.
“Wanting to learn about our Aboriginal culture is a growing movement across our community and our nation,” she said.
“We have the largest growing Indigenous population in NSW – let’s be proud of our Indigenous history and culture.
“It is great to see such a huge cross -section of the community having fun together with humour, love and respect.”
Brisbane Water Police District Commander, Superintendent Darryl Jobson, said the police were pleased to be involved in the event.
“We are part of the fabric of the community and days like this are fantastic – to join with our Aboriginal community and Coast Shelter and see the joy on everyone’s faces,” he said.
“We have our serious side but we are always happy to have a laugh with the community.
“Being engaged – that’s what it’s all about.”
Terry Collins
