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Created: 03 February 2019

From Reconciliation Victoria enews - February 2019 -

This year is an opportunity for Australians to take action and improve the preservation, promotion and learning of First Nations languages across Australia. As a nation we can work towards an Australia where First Languages are respected nationally, and spoken by community members across our country.

Commonground has developed a number of resources that you can use to become more familiar with the stories of Languages, and the never-ending fight to preserve and protect First Languages.

Embracing and better understanding language is one way we can help maintain First Languages and support First Nations people.

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Created: 05 February 2018

Geelong One Fire is delighted to have worked with the Geelong Library events team to help set up this unique event -

On the eve of International Women's Day, the prominent elder of the Wergaia people and Wamba Wamba descendant, Eleanor Bourke will share her perspective on our most recent shared cultural history and how this has influenced our collective notion of the Australian cultural identity. In a time when Australia is struggling with its national cultural identity, a better resolution will come from true recognition of the role of Australia’s First People in our society.
This Open Mind Lecture is in memory of Geelong Regional Libraries staff member, Fiona Baranowski.

http://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/whats-on/are-australias-first-people-foundation-our-national-identity

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Created: 24 January 2018

One Fire appreciates the guidance provided by Reconciliation Victoria as the discussions on the future of 'Australia Day' develop.

Reconciliation Victoria supports a continuing national conversation about shifting our national day from January 26. Such a conversation would help us reflect on who we are as a nation, what we stand for, and what date in our history best reflects those values and attributes.

They encourage all Victorians to think about how we celebrate Australia Day.

See: Reconciliation Victoria's January 26th Position Statement

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Created: 06 June 2017

After a long journey consulting Aboriginal communities about Constitutional Recognition, a gathering took place in Uluru in late May 2017.

The First People’s deliberations led to the 'Uluru Statement' .

The statement demands substantive constitutional reform, the establishment of a First Nations Voice and a Makarrata Commission.

One Fire follows the outcome from the statement, contributes to actions to raise awareness about them and supports their achievement as key steps in First Nations self-determination.

We recommend reading Thomas Mayors book: Finding the Heart of the Nation, to more fully understand the journey to achieving the statement.

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Created: 11 December 2016

A new Partnership Agreement between Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative and Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group was adopted in December 2016.

Rod Jackson: Co-op CEO and Vicky Grosser: One Fire Acting President signed the document.

Rod and Vicky expressed a sense of the growing strength of the organisational partnership through joint projects for local reconciliation - supporting Aboriginal community self-determination.

With funding from Australia Post & Towards a Just Society Fund, the Co-op with One Fire are developing an exciting project:
Djillong: Our History, Our Story, Our Future - strengthening local Aboriginal knowledge of history and culture

This project builds on the existing Djillong website: www.djillong.net.au

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Created: 06 June 2016

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative & Geelong One Fire are proud winners of the State Community HART Awards (community organisations) for the annual Reconciliation in the Park event.

Seven members of both organisations were at the award ceremony on 3rd June. As Mel King: Rec in Park Co-ordinator stated: "I was honoured to receive this award, Uncle Dave from Wathaurong and Ron Milligan from One Fire started the annual event and it continues to grow and build stronger relationships each year.... From big things little things grow. Let's continue to walk together".

HART stands for 'helping to achieve reconciliation together'.
The awards recognise councils and community organisations that are Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together – that is, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together and contributing to building relationships, respect and understanding between each other.

“The HART Awards are a great example of how, together, we can recognise and celebrate the work of people who are creating a society we can all take part in, proudly and equally" said Cr Sebastian Klein: Victorian Local Governance Association President.

Reconciliation in the Park (Geelong), conducted by Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group & Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, contributes to local relationships between Aboriginal people and the wider community. In winning the award, we acknowledge many local funders, sponsors and contributors.

Back row: Ron Milligan, Stacey Mercer, Mick Ryan, Edwina McHenry; Front row: Mel King, Uncle David, Vicky Grosser

Reconciliation Victoria, Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and Bank Australia announced the winners of the 2016 Community HART Awards at a presenation ceremony attended by Aunty Joy Murphy and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Natalie Hutchins.

Read more at: http://www.reconciliationvic.org.au/news/community-hart-awards-2016-winners-announced-today.php