NEWS DESK
March represents ‘hope’ for future HUNDREDS joined Saturday’s Reconciliation Walk to the Willum Warrain Association’s gathering place in Pound Rd, Hastings. Association president Peter Aldenhoven estimated that more than 300 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people participated in the march “in a spirit of hope and optimism for the future”. The walk from the foreshore ended at the gathering place with a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo performance followed by a barbecue. Saturday marked the 25th anniversary of Mabo Day, “a special day for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”, Mr Aldenhoven said. “This is always the last day of Reconciliation Week and honours the successful High Court battle by Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo to overturn the doctrine of terra nullius. This historic event enabled a pathway for the recognition of first Australians’ enduring links to the lands and waters of this country.” Mr Aldenhoven said Eddie Mabo is “regarded as a hero to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the father of modern land rights”. “The annual Willum Warrain walk represents the local Aboriginal community’s aspirations for strong and positive relationships with the broader community – an opportunity for connection and embracing culture - and working together on taking the next steps on our shared journey of reconciliation.”
On the march: Particpants in Saturday’s Reconciliation March walked from Hastings foreshore to the Willum Warrain centre for a smoking ceremony and barbecue. Pictures: Ken Beaumont
Bomb squad moves ‘explosive device’ from near Hastings house THE BOMB Squad took away an “explosive device” from outside a Hastings house, 12.30pm, Sunday. Hendersons Rd was blocked off for several hours when police isolated the “smouldering object” believed to have been thrown from a car. The object was later taken away for forensic examination. Mornington Peninsula CIU detectives on Monday could not discount the theory that the package was a bunch of sparklers taped together and lit – or whether it was something more dangerous. Detective Senior Constable Shane Moodie said it was unclear why the device was placed outside a particular house. Senior Sergeant Peter Drake said police took the potential danger seriously. The area was made a crime scene and cordoned off. “We are not sure what the person’s intentions were because the homemade device was away from the house in the tree-line, but there may be something more behind it,” he said. Detective Senior Constable Brooke Manley, of the Arson Squad, said she could not say what the device was made from, but that it was the subject of an “active forensic examination”. “It is a strange situation and we are appealing for witnesses to come forward,” she said.
Western Port News 6 June 2017
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