Reconciliation Week children's event

Published on 31 May 2022

West Wimmera Shire babies and pre-schoolers were invited to participate in a reconciliation playgroup on Friday, as part of National Reconciliation Week.

Council’s early years team organised the culturally appropriate playgroup, which was held at Lake Wallace foreshore in Edenhope.

The aim of the playgroup was to support being an inclusive community and tied in with this year’s motto for National Reconciliation Week, ‘Be brave. Make change.’.

Many West Wimmera Shire families attended the event, along with members of the Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-Operative playgroup from Horsham.

Wotjobaluk Elder, Uncle Ron Marks, also attended and was the event’s facilitator. He spoke about the importance of healing and moving forward towards reconciliation.

Uncle Ron had the children and families actively involved throughout the event.

There was a traditional smoking ceremony on the banks of Lake Wallace, followed by traditional ochre face painting, making bouquets from native flowers, and a delicious picnic lunch.

During the event, some Edenhope College students were outside doing an activity nearby with their principal Trevor McClure.

They were invited to spontaneously join in the event and the students spent some time with Uncle Ron learning about reconciliation.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said West Wimmera Shire Council was committed to reconciliation.

“The children’s event was a good opportunity to learn about Aboriginal history, culture, and achievements, as well as a great occasion for children and their families to come together to learn and explore how they can contribute to achieve reconciliation in our communities,” he said.

West Wimmera Shire Council is proud to be flying the Aboriginal flag from Council flagpoles.