Coming together to celebrate

Every year on January 26 the country appears to divide into two camps on what is increasingly becoming adivisive day for many Australians. In cities and towns across the country, various groups host Australia Day and Survival Day events, communities divided in their beliefs and desires.

In Castlemaine, where after many years of work between Dja Dja Wurrung Elders and the Mount Alexander Shire Council, communities are able to come together for a joint Australia/Survival Day event.

As the sun rose high and hot crowds gathered under umbrellas in the centre of Castlemaine, enjoying the community atmosphere, eating food prepared by Murnong Mamma’s, abarbeque manned by Castlemaine Rotary and Lions Clubs, and free ice cream dished out by Icecream Social, while enjoying aconcert featuring amazing artists including local duo ‘The Rattlers’ and aboriginal music pioneer Bart Willoughby, alongside Selwyn Burns and his son Tjimba Possum Burns.

“It felt like afamilyreunion after years of having barnies,” one community member commented on Facebook.

“What afantastic, collaborative initiative this is. Ajoyfulafternoon that allows the next generation to see what can be. Reflection. Recognition. Reconciliation.”

The morning saw acitizenship ceremony, welcoming the newest members of our community, alongside recognition of the hard work of community members George Milford, awarded Citizen of the Year for his amazing volunteer work, CFA stalwart Bill Chapman who was named Senior Citizen of the Year and mental health advocate Bodie Maffescioni awarded Young Citizen of the Year, followed by an afternoon of recognition of our First Nations people’s survival.

Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson said he has lived in Castlemaine for 50-odd years and in that time had seen a 180-degree turnaround in the community and their interest in aboriginal history.

“I live here loud, proud and strong,” Uncle Rick said.

“I want to focus on reconciliation and how we can work together to survive.”