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Issue no. 47 / May 2022
RECONCILIATION RECAP
Australian Reconciliation Convention
Narragunnawali Awards
15-17 November 2021
17 November 2021
In November 2021 we held the first national reconciliation gathering in 20 years – the Australian Reconciliation Convention. It was three days of inspiring speakers, important conversations, reflection on how far we’ve come, and a rallying cry for the work to come. 1500 participants came together virtually to hear close to 100 inspiring speakers.The first day situated us in the present by understanding how we got to where we are today and how we can move forward in the reconciliation movement. Discussion on day two centred on truth-telling and strategies for action, while the final day of the Convention focussed firmly on the future, transformational partnerships, education, representation and self-determination. See Convention highlights at: reconciliation.org.au/convention-wrap Day 2 co-hosts, Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine & Jodie Taylor with breakout session chair Lisa Madden in-studio for the Australian Reconciliation Convention. Photo: Peter Morris
The 2021 Australian Reconciliation Convention was an historic occasion, made even more significant with the presentation of the Narragunnawali Awards 2021. St Virgil’s College on murawina Country in Hobart, Tasmania took home the school’s category award for the way they have embedded reconciliation at all levels of the school, including their inclusion of the local Aboriginal community, and prioritising caring for Country on campus. For the first time, the early learning services award was jointly awarded! Judges were impressed by the commitment of both Tumut Community Preschool (NSW) and Balnarring Pre-School (VIC) to building respectful and constructive relationships with local Traditional Owner groups. Go to narragunnawali.org.au/awards to learn more about the winners and finalists. Narragunnawali Awards 2021 trophies on display at the Australian Reconciliation Convention. Photo: Peter Morris
Accompanied by friends and families, the recipients were: Tasmanian Young Australian of the Year Kaytlyn Johnson; Queensland Senior Australian of the Year Dr Colin Dillon AM APM; NT Australian of the Year Leanne Liddle; and WA Local Hero, Craig Hollywood. Yvonne & Benny Mills represented their son, ACT Australian of the Year Patty Mills.
Australian of the Year Awards breakfast 25 January 2022 Reconciliation Australia hosted its annual breakfast honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nominees of Australian of the Year Awards, and non-Indigenous recipients who work closely with Aboriginal people.
The Honourable Ken Wyatt MP Minister for Indigenous Australians shared his own congratulations to the recipients through a pre-recorded video message. Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine wished the recipients the best saying they were continuing a more than 60, 000-year-old legacy of leadership. Go to australianoftheyear.org.au to learn more about the finalists Together in excellence at the 2022 Australian of the Year Awards. l-r: Leanne Liddle, Karen Mundine, Yvonne & Benny Mills, Kaytlyn Johnson, and Colin Dillon. Photo: Brad Hunter, Salty Dingo
