Below are some items from the One Fire Blog, which was operational over some years until this website was fully etsablished.
You may find it interesting to see this information about some of our earlier activities.
In July 2011 One Fire was delighted to receive a NAIDOC Award from Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. The beautiful plate, made by Wathuarong Glass (see below) will be on display during the year at Clonard College & Western Heights School schools, the Wathaurong Co-op, plus the Geelong Library - all participants in the 2011 event.
June - September 2011............
YOU ME UNITY
CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE
A new conversation starts now…….how we can recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution.
Over the next 6 months, 20 members of the panel appointed by the Prime Minister will be travelling across the country to listen to Australians, as currently not all Australians are equal under our constitution.
It is time to move to constitutional recognition, to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as full and equal citizens, responding to general recognition that this is something we must do.
75% of people support plans for some form of constitutional change.
A proposed change could be placed before a referendum. Current proposals include –
• A statement of recognition - acknowledging Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people’s unique culture & an important part of Australian society
• A statement of values – recognising Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people’s and fundamental Australian values such as citizens personal freedom……racial and gender equality and our commitment to a democratic government
• Repealing or amending the ‘race power’ in the constitution – creating a new guarantee of non discrimination and racial equality
• Make laws to protect Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage and redress historical disadvantage
The panel wants to hear what people think plus any other ideas. No decision has been made yet, and you are encouraged to take part and submit your views and ideas for Constitutional change.
The Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group is interested in being part of a local group making a submission to these plans. Would you like to do this with us?
You can find out more information at www.YouMeUnity.org.au
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Reconciliation Week Event: Sunday 29th May 2011
This year saw a bigger and well attended event in Johnston Park for Reconciliation Week in Geelong.
The theme this year for Reconciliation Victoria events was -
'Let's Talk Recognition'.
Local Aboriginal community members contributed 'The Storyteller' game, dance, basket making, face painting, didgeridoo playing, glass work and more. (See the photos below.)
Clonard College and Western Heights School provided wonderful art works linked to the theme, and thanks go to Geelong Library for hosting this art.
Thanks also to supporters -
- CoGG for $2135 funding
- Ian Trezise MP and Reconciliaton Victoria for $500 each
- Andrew Katos MP for the flyer printing
- Barwon Water & Barwon Region Waste Management Group
- City of Greater Geelong
- Marquees provided by Geelong Trades Hall, St Josephs College, Clonard College, Friends of Brisbane Ranges
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| Reconciliation in the Park | Councillor Eddy Kontelj speaks |
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| Je Be Wang Dancers | 'The Storyteller' game, by Glenn Shea |
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| Boomerang & Clap stick painting | |
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Clonard College & Western Heights School - thanks to students and teachers for these creations. |
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For further information about Reconciliation Week, please
see the ANTAR website: www.antarvictoria.org.au/
GOFRG, together with Greening Australia, The Gordon and the Marine Discovery Centre, nominated Uncle David Tournier for a ‘Victorian Coast Council Award for Excellence in Marine Education’.
Stuart McCallum, President of GOFRG is seen below celebrating with Uncle David and the Special Recognition Award which he received in April 2011.
In December 2010, members of the 'Geelong One Fire' (GOFRG) spent a special day with Uncle David Tournier and Glenn Shea,
viewing and hearing about the cultural sites at the You Yangs.
David Tournier
GOFRG members enjoy Kangaroo stew
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op and Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group members & families
For Reconciliation Week 2010 the theme was: “Are we there yet?”
Volunteers at the Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group set up a series of events for this year’s Reconciliation Week (30th May, 2010) – the ten year anniversary of Corroboree 2000 and the bridge walks for reconciliation.
One Fire is the Geelong affiliate of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR Victoria), a not-for-profit NGO run by volunteers in local communities. This year, ANTaR groups across the state asked “Are we there yet?” – have we fulfilled the promise of reconciliation? – and Geelong One Fire used this as the theme for their events”.
An exhibition of local high school students’ artworks, including painting, sculpting, and multimedia, was shown at the Geelong Town Hall foyer during May. The aim was to provide visitors with insight into how younger people view the work of reconciliation.
A family event took place at the adjacent Johnstone Park on Sunday 30th May. Young and old alike attended to share in Australia’s Indigenous heritage, with activities including boomerang making and painting, wattle-seed damper making, didgeridoo and clapstick making.
‘The Storyteller’ game was also available to play at the event. It was developed by local Aboriginal man: Glenn Shea. See www.indigenousstoryteller.com
In the true spirit of reconciliation, One Fire representatives consulted closely with local Wathaurong people in planning the events.
“Reconciliation is the responsibility of all Australian communities, but Geelong has a particular role to play” said One Fire Spokesperson Ron Milligan. “There’s a big Indigenous population in Geelong, but it’s not always visible, and Geelong’s history during the stolen generations is a part of that.
We need to make contact with non-Indigenous people and raise awareness about our history”.
Despite its troubled past, Geelong also has a proud history of reconciliation efforts. Ten years ago this year, One Fire organised a special train to transport Geelong residents to the Melbourne bridge walk for reconciliation. Amazingly, Geelong residents filled the train to capacity, and joined thousands of other Victorians in crossing the Princess Bridge.
By holding the “Are we there yet?” events, One Fire and ANTaR Victoria aimed to rekindle this spirit of hope.
For information on ANTaR Victoria’s events – see http://www.antarvictoria.org.au/
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| Cr Eddie Kontelj with One Fire members | Welcome to Country - David Tournier |
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| Face painting | Boomerang making and............... |
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| Boomerang decorating | Damper making |
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| 'The Storyteller' Game | |