Reconciliation Week

I would like to tell you the story of my two Great Grandmothers.

One was Wemba-Wemba, who lived on Moonacullah mission in Southern New South Wales, and my other Great-Grandmother who was Ngadjon ji from the rainforests of far North QLD lived about two to three thousand km away.

They faced the same humiliation for being black.

Granny Molly who lived on her Country in Malanda FNQ, was sentenced on Palm Island for seven years for throwing a tin bucket at the policeman, he had accused her of smoking opium, which was not true. Her spirit was never broken when she was released, Granny Molly lived till she was 103 years old and was still walking up hills when she was 99 years old.

My other Great Grandmother, Mariah Day heard that William Cooper was speaking about

issues for her people in the 1930s in Sydney. She left the mission by herself and travelled about 30 minutes into Deniliquin by horse and cart, she then caught the train to Sydney.

I would like to think that racism and inequality were something that we left behind in the 1950s, sadly my Great Grandmothers Molly Raymond and Mariah Day would be so shocked as to think nothing has changed.

We face the same humiliation for being black as did our beautiful brave Grandmothers.

Donna Walsh

Wemba-Wemba, Ngadjon ji, and Gunditjamara Peoples

Reconciliation Week, observed from May 27 to June 3, offers us a meaningful opportunity to reflect, learn, and engage with stories and activities that promote reconciliation and a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contributions.

Reconciliation Week serves as a reminder of the ongoing journey towards healing, respect, and understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. It invites us all to embrace the spirit of reconciliation and commit to building stronger relationships based on trust, equality, and mutual respect.

Walking together with Aboriginal people is a powerful metaphor for the journey we undertake as a collective but particularly as a faith-based school. It signifies our commitment to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue. By walking side by side, we acknowledge the wisdom, resilience, and rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as the challenges they have faced throughout history.

However, to truly embark on this journey, we must confront the uncomfortable truths of the past. Aunty Donna tells above her own personal journey and there are atrocities that occurred in our very own backyard including the Barmah Lake Massacre in 1843 killing 26 people and the treatment of Aboriginals at Cummeragunja leading to the ‘walk-off’ in 1939, not to mention those permanently scarred during the Stolen Generation. To the people impacted by these events and ongoing racism, we hear and acknowledge your cries.  

As we continue on this journey towards reconciliation, let us remember that it is a collective responsibility. It is incumbent upon each one of us to foster understanding, promote empathy, and strive for a more just society. By embracing reconciliation and walking together in harmony, we can create a future where social justice prevails and every individual can thrive.

“Yapaneyepuk inyabaknalyin galnyan yakurrumdja, yapaneyepuk nyuwanda yanyubak” 

(Yorta Yorta Language App).

Together with respect, together we walk.  

Brooke O’Brien

Living Justice Living Peace Leader and Co Student Agency and Voice Leader