Lord Mayor's column: Reconciliation is for all of us

I have such faith in the generation of young people and the things that they will achieve in their lifetime.

Last week I attended the CareWays Koonawarra Reconciliation Walk and heard from young students who shared their thoughts around Reconciliation.

In the days since this visit, what has really stayed with me were the words of Kayden and Avery from Hayes Park Public School. Kayden shared with us his pride in his culture, and his friend Avery told us that, while he wasn’t Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, he could learn and he could respect.

He was so very articulate in his desire to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, to be a part of conversations and to play a role in building a better future for everyone.

Wow. What impressive young men, speaking out about their experience and shared aspiration to build knowledge and promote healing. We should all follow their lead.

Between May 27 and June 3 is National Reconciliation Week. I’m proud to be a part of a number of events right across the week which are focused around this year’s theme: All In.

On Thursday I pulled on my sneakers and joined the students of Bellambi Public School, Aunty Sharralyn Robinson and almost 3,000 students from schools across our region on the annual Walk for Reconciliation.

It was heartening to see so many Elders join the students, teachers and community members to participate in this annual event which included a smoking ceremony with Uncle Peter, cultural dances and music.

I’m conscious of my role as an individual and as a civic leader in Wollongong, and Australia’s, reconciliation journey.

As an individual, I take seriously my responsibility to listen and to learn from others, and have a heart-felt desire to foster strong connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within this community.

At Council, we’re doing our best to drive cultural change and build knowledge right across our community. We have a Reconciliation Action Plan and, even more importantly, we’re working towards the goals within that document.

We’re not doing this alone. At Council, we’re ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard, valued, respected and influential across decision making processes, programs and embedded within our strategic and annual plans.

We all have a role to play in building a better and brighter future for all and education is the first step in that process.

Regardless of where you’re at in your reconciliation journey, I encourage you this week to take a moment and read some of the information and resources available on Reconciliation Australia's website. There is so much there to consider and there will be something that helps everyone continue along our shared path to the future.

After all, as the students from Hayes Park said, it’s all about an openness to learning that builds a better place tomorrow for everyone.