The local community gathered at the historic Castlemaine Market Building last Saturday morning, May 27 for the National Reconciliation Week Launch and the announcement of the annual Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation Awards.
The morning included a performance by The Peace Choir, an address by Mount Alexander Shire Council CEO Darren Fuzzard and the opening of the annual display and exhibition which complements the permanent Boorp Boorp Boondyil interactive space houses within the Visitor Centre, where locals and visitors can learn about the Dja Dja Wurrung history of the area.
Nalderun CEO and Yorta Yorta woman Aunty Kathryn Coff welcomed all those in attendance and announced the highly deserving recipients of the Nalderun Awards including Castlemaine Secondary College teacher Dino Cevolatti, Chewton Primary School principal Bernadette McKenna who played an integral role in the establishment of the school’s inaugural Chewton Reconciliation Walk, Council Visitor Services team member Aileen Walsh and Friends of Nalderun member Zoe Scoglio.
The Reconciliation Week activities continued this week with a guided story walk with Kath Coff, history walk with Uncle Rick Nelson, the Reconciliation Film Festival at the Theatre Royal, a Pub Sing event at The Taproom featuring the late Uncle Archie Roach’s song ‘We won’t cry’, and the Chewton Reconciliation Walk hosted by the Chewton Primary School on Thursday and today (June 2) from 10am, plus much more. The events continue this weekend.
See the Nalderun Facebook page for the full Reconciliation Week program or visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au.