SOVEREIGN HILL 

Explore the rich history and culture of the Wadawurrung people, the Traditional Owners of the Ballarat region. 

Five Wadawurrung artists—Aunty Marlene Gilson, Dr. Deanne Gilson, Tammy Gilson, Kait James, and Lynette Fagan—were commissioned to create sculptures that reflect the profound impact of colonisation, while celebrating the enduring connections to land, culture, and the future.

These works stand as powerful expressions of resilience and continuity, honouring the past while looking forward.

STAFF PD IDEAS - SOVEREIGN HILL'S 

The AURA show at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, includes Wadawurrung's Gilson family Bunjil creation story. This 90-minute immersive experience uses projection technology to tell the story of gold, from its creation to its discovery and impact. The Bunjil creation story is part of Wadawurrung Aboriginal people's oral traditions and is presented as a visually stunning spectacle using projections over a lake. The show also explores the science of gold, the colonial discovery of gold, and the events leading to the Eureka Rebellion.  

  'Reconciliation' is about Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians talking, walking, and working together to overcome the division and inequality between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. It is about addressing and acknowledging our true history and righting the wrongs.  It is not one act but a journey that requires a commitment from non-Indigenous Australians to take ownership and responsibility for their own learning and role in the process of reconciliation. 

Reconciliation is based and measured on five dimensions: historical acceptance; race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity and unity. 

 Narragunnawali (pronounced narra-gunna-wally) is a word from the language of the Ngunnawal people, Traditional Owners of the land on which Reconciliation Australia’s Canberra office is located, meaning alive, wellbeing, coming together and peace. The Narragunnawali online platform is free to access and provides practical ways to introduce meaningful reconciliation initiatives in the classroom, around the school and with the community. Through the Narragunnawali platform, schools and early learning services can develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and teachers and educators can access professional learning and curriculum resources to support the implementation of reconciliation initiatives.

Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate 

allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments.

Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation.

The framework of relationships, respect and opportunities enables organisations to turn their good intentions into action and to support the national reconciliation movement.

Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of their reconciliation journey.

 Deep Listening is a First Nations-led exploration of the stories of Ballarat both old and new, asking the question ‘whose heritage is it?’ 

Supported by City of Ballarat, Perridak Arts, the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative and Wadawurrung Corporation, lead artist and Traditional Custodian Jenna Oldaker absorbed and documented stories, knowledge and experience of Ballarat’s Aboriginal community. Jenna built safe spaces for varied groups to gather and share in a uniquely collaborative creative process. 

Deep Listening is complex. It requires confidence from all participants. It needs open communication. It demands respect. 

Jenna worked to six themes of HEALING, HEART, HISTORY, STORY, SONG and SPIRIT. Through a series of workshops, community members detailed their perspectives and life experiences of living on Wadawurrung Country, today, yesterday and tomorrow. 

FREE EVENT

 For those that couldn't make the evening event at Fed Uni The Ballaarat Reconciliation Action Network (BRAN) invited one and all to join in on a yarning circle with Thomas Mayo upstairs at the Ballarat Library! 

Tea/Coffee provided.

PErsonal meet and greet with Thomas Mayo. A chance to ask him all your burning questions about Reconciliation Action. An opportunity to engage in conversations about reconciliation with Community and to hear about Thomas's journey as an author and human rights advocate. Don't miss out on this Lunchtime Learning session.

Ballaarat Reconciliation Action Network is a local community network made up of organisations, businesses and groups with Reconciliation Action Plans and those interested in getting one. Current membership includes Community and Family Services(CAFS), Ballarat and Community Health, The City of Ballarat, Federation University and Women's Health Grampians. 

Qs: 0407 921 222

Tuesday 13th August 2024

The National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice and the  Ballaarat Reconciliation Action Network warmly invites you to a conversation with Thomas Mayo, Sheree Lowe, and Professor Andrew Gunstone, moderated by Deb Lowah Clark.

Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal, and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the National Assistant Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia and an award-winning author of seven best-selling books.

Sheree Lowe is a Gunditjmara, Peek Whurrong, Djab Whurrung, Kirrae Whurrung woman, and Member for the South West Region of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

Deb Lowah Clark is a proud Meriam woman with ancestral and family ties to Mer Island and Moa Island in the Torres Straits. 

Professor Andrew Gunstone is Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation at Federation University

Venue: Theatre T001, SMB Campus, Federation University (where the big tower is)

107 Lydiard Street, South Ballarat Central

Date: 13 August 2024

Time: 5.30-7.30pm (refreshments from 5.30pm)

This is a free event was a civic literacy event open to one and all .

Professor Gunstone’s latest book, “Reflections on the Voice – during and after the campaign”, that explores the lessons from the Referendum for our national reconciliation journey, is available at the event for $20 (40% savings), with all proceeds funding a First Nations PhD Scholarship on Truth-telling.

Find out here about our work at the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice.

Should you have any questions regarding the event please contact: s.jubran@federation.edu.au