Standing tall for reconciliation

By Kim Pham
May 22 2015 - 12:00am
Malcolm Towney and local elder Ethel Baxter recall the very beginnings of the Reconciliation Day march and how much it has grown in that time. Photo: Kim Pham.
Malcolm Towney and local elder Ethel Baxter recall the very beginnings of the Reconciliation Day march and how much it has grown in that time. Photo: Kim Pham.

MORE than 1200 residents will congregate in Queanbeyan for the annual Reconciliation Day March on Tuesday, May 26.

The sea of people will walk from Ray Morton Park, down Monaro Street and finish at the Reconciliation Gardens located in Town Park as a show of their support for the Aboriginal community.

Local elder Ethel Baxter, of the Wiradjuri people, remembers the very first walk through Queanbeyan - it was held during the early 1990s and worlds away from the harmonious march that locals are now used to.

Prompted by the Mabo decision and Native Title Act being announced in 1992, a local congregation took to the streets to make a statement about Aboriginal land rights.

"I remember 30 or 40 of us walking up Monaro Street, that was the first time we had an opportunity to do that," she said.

"The street wasn't closed off for us, we just stopped traffic.

"It was such a contrast to what we get now. The turn out these days is more than I ever imagined. When we first walked down it was just a few people. To see the change from then to now, it's marvellous."

Malcolm Towney is the Queanbeyan City Council community development officer for Aboriginal Projects and was also present at that first walk.

He said these days the Reconciliation March is a chance for the community to "commemorate, celebrate and recognise" Aboriginal people.

This year's theme is "It's time to change it up" and Mr Towney said change can only begin with educating young people.

He said it was particularly heartening to see so many school children involved in the Reconciliation Day march.

"On that day, I stand up a bit taller, my chest is a bit prouder," Mr Towney said.

"I sit there and think from where we came to where we are today, even though the theme of the walk has changed, what we started way back then is something to be very proud of. Those people have left a legacy."

The Reconciliation Day Ceremony will be held at the end of the march.

It will include an official opening, Welcome to Country, didgeridoo performance along with local rapper Michael Weir performing with local high school students.

There will be a community barbecue following the event.

The Reconciliation Day march will commence at 10.30am on Tuesday, May 26. Those wanting to participate should meet at Ray Morton Park at 10.15am.

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