The City of Greater Geelong will hold a series of Voice to Parliament forums in the lead up to the referendum.
Elders, First Nation leaders, MPs and Allies will join Aunty Pat Anderson AO for ‘The Heart II – A Shared Journey’ hosted by the City and Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative.
Aunty Pat will be joined by Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative Elders and board members, Aunty Wendy Brabham, and Uncle Glen Shea, along with young leaders Jordyn Flagg and Naomi Edwards, as voices across multiple generations form a Yarning Circle at the City’s civic precinct Wurriki Nyal.
A Yarning Circle is an informal conversation that involves the telling of stories as a way of passing on cultural knowledge.
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said the Geelong community was privileged to have the opportunity to hear from such a renowned identity.
“Aunty Pat is known both nationally and internationally as a powerful advocate for the health of Australia’s First Peoples,” he said.
“Given her extensive experience in Aboriginal health, including community development, policy formation and research ethics, our community is privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of her meeting with various generations of the local First Nations community.
“Joining with Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative in hosting these forums demonstrates the City’s commitment to walking with First Nations Peoples to build a better future.”
The forums are on Monday August 28 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and Tuesday August 29 from 10am to noon at Wurriki Nyal, Wadawurrung Country, 137-149 Mercer Street, Geelong.
Registrations at geelongaustralia.com.au/events/calendar/item/8db9cca2fcf3a8d.aspx
In addition to the forums residents are invited to attend the remaining Community Kiosks on Thursday August 24 at Lara Library, Thursday September 14 at Belmont Library from, Wednesday September 27 at Waurn Ponds Library and Thursday September 28 at Ocean Grove Library.
Kiosk sessions run from 11am to 1pm, except the Lara session, which is 1pm to 3pm. No registration is required.