Reconciliation in the Park 2025 will be on Sunday 1st June.
Reconciliation in the Park 2024 created a strong space for many people to come together for our 15th year of this event, at this important time in Djilang (Geelong) on Wadawurrung Country - NOW MORE THAN EVER was the National Reconciliation Week theme.
What is Reconciliation in the Park?
Reconciliation in the Park is a unique annual Geelong event, which is provided by local Aboriginal community members with the support of Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group.
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The first Reconciliation in the Park (Rec in the Park) event was in 2010.
Initiated by the late Uncle David Tournier and organised by the late Ron Milligan, it grew out of a joint desire to grow local understanding about Djillang history and culture, and engage the broad community in local reconciliation activities. It now involves many connected activities leading up the event itself, which takes place during National Reconciliation Week.
Western Heights College students contributed art works on the theme of reconciliation, which then become an annual event at Geelong Gallery, engaging many local schools in learning from local Aboriginal artists followed by an exhibition.
In 2016 Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group were delighted to be part of the Reconciliation in the Park team that won the Victorian Community HART Award (community organisations).
HART stands for 'Helping to Achieve Reconciliation Together'.
We thank both Uncle David Tournier and Ron Milligan - two men who commenced a vision which is now being contributed to by many community members, organisations and partners in the region.
Photograph by Barbara Oehring
Thanks to event funders: City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Connected Communities, St John of God Hospital, Reconciliation Victoria, and many local sponsors.