The celebration of Australia’s first Reconciliation Day public holiday in the ACT on 28 May has been boosted by the involvement of local community organisations and schools.
Demonstrating the importance of reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen-Smith said 19 grants had been made to participants to stage programs and events in support of the historic day.
“The creation of the act’s first public holiday dedicated to reconciliation provides an opportunity for all Canberrans to come together to celebrate the culture, contribution and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“These grants are an important way for the Government to help community groups and local schools get involved in spreading the message of reconciliation and this year’s theme, Don’t Keep History a Mystery.”
She said the grant recipients were:
Australian Red Cross; Narrabundah Early Childhood School; Toora Women Inc. and EveryMan Australi; Gold Creek School; Tuggeranong Arts Centre; Woodlands and Wetlands Trust; ACT Torres Strait Islanders Corporation; Indigenous Community Volunteers; Malkara School and Tuggeranong Netball Association.
Also receiving grants will be Macgregor Primary School; Forrest Primary School; Alfred Deakin High School; Amaroo School; O’Connor Cooperative School; Gilmore Primary School; Latham Primary School; Kara Buai Torres Strait Islander Corp; and Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council.
