Echuca and surrounds gathered at Alton Reserve on Tuesday morning to mark the beginning of Reconciliation Week.
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The week is a time for all Australians to celebrate the relationships between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, while reflecting on their shared history and future.
This year's Reconciliation Week theme is ‘Bridging Now to the Next’, highlighting the connection between the past, present and future.
Schools from Echuca, Moama and Rochester took part in the celebrations alongside community members.
The event began at Alton Reserve, where Uncle Rick Ronnan performed a smoking ceremony before the crowd set off for the annual Reconciliation Community Walk to the Aquatic Reserve.
Njernda led the procession in buggies decorated with the Aboriginal and Australian flags, followed by the school students and other guests.
Everyone regrouped at the Aquatic Reserve to hear from key community representatives.
Uncle Rick opened the ceremony with a Welcome to Country before Njernda chief executive John Mitchell shared a few words.
“It's great to see (everyone) turn out this morning — both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal (people), walking, talking, listening to each other. Listening is the biggest part,” he said.
“Listen to community, listen to each other, and let's bridge and see how we can work together for better outcomes for all our communities.”
Echuca police Inspector David Bowler also spoke at the ceremony, acknowledging that “policing has not always served Aboriginal communities fairly or justly”.
Insp Bowler highlighted the issue of First Nations deaths in custody and the ongoing changes within the police force to ensure fair and just treatment of First Nations people.
Following Insp Bowler, Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell praised the turnout and took the chance to clarify the meaning of Welcome to Country ceremonies.
“We are honoured to be welcomed on the Country, and it seems at this time we need to be clear on what that means,” he said.
“Sometimes the word Country can be misunderstood. Country isn't just about geography or land, it's about connection.
“When Aboriginal people say Welcome to Country, they're not saying you’re new here or that you're a visitor to Australia — they're inviting you into their relationship with the land.”
Cr Mackrell also spoke about the council’s first ever Reconciliation Action Plan, which is currently being developed in collaboration with the local First Nations community.
Campaspe Shire Council First Peoples Engagement Officer Suzy Barlow was the last speaker of the day.
Mrs Barlow commended the turnout and encouraged people to support the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s ‘First the talk. Now the walk.’ campaign.
“I'm really thrilled at the turnout that we've got here today. Reconciliation's about everyone coming together as a community, and it starts with you guys,” she said.
“There's some great stuff on social media this week about the walk for truth that's happening from Portland to Parliament House.
“It's really about truth-telling... but it's also about us listening to that and really understanding that this is a shared identity that we have... It's really important that we accept that and then reconciliation will be a real thing that's happening together.”
On Wednesday, as part of Reconciliation Week, Njernda will be hosting a Social and Emotional Wellbeing Day to connect people with local services and corporations.
It will run from 10am to 1pm at the rear of the wellbeing building on 34-86 Annesley St, Echuca.