Redlands celebrates National Reconciliation Week

Redland City Council’s National Reconciliation Week, which starts tomorrow and runs until June 3, will have something for everyone covering culture, the arts and sport, including opportunities to learn about shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore ways the community can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Mayor Karen Williams said the week had great significance with a range of celebrations right across the Redlands Coast.

“Reconciliation Week is a special time for locals to recognise and celebrate the great social, cultural and spiritual importance of the Quandamooka People, who have lived in the area for at least 21,000 years,” said Cr Williams.

“In keeping with the theme of this year’s National Reconciliation Week, and the tag #BeBraveMakeChange we are asking everyone to make change as part of the journey of healing, compassion and understanding and to take brave actions to achieve that where they live, work, play and socialise.”

Cr Williams said Council was very proud of its first internal Reconciliation Action Plan, of which the vast majority of its 55 actions have been completed with support from employees and Council’s community partners.

“Council’s Indigenous education program ‘Look, Listen and Understand’, has also been acknowledged as one of the best in the country, winning the Best Diversity and Inclusion Program for 2021 by the Australian Institute of Training and Development Excellence Awards,” Cr Williams said.

A stand out feature of National Reconciliation Week activities will see first class rugby league return to North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah with an exciting Round 10 clash between the BMD Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the Central Queensland Capras in the Reconciliation Round of the Hostplus Cup, to be held at Ron Stark Oval on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah.

The Indigenous recognition match, proudly supported by long-term partners Redland City Council and Deadly Choices, will be held on Sunday 5 June.

Seagulls staff and players will also visit the island in the days leading up to the game to hold rugby league clinics and engage in activities to help promote tourism on the Redlands Coast.

Cr Williams said Council was happy to support Wynnum Manly Seagulls Rugby League Club with $9000 sponsorship for the event, as it offered important social and health benefits for the Redlands Coast community.

“We know our community loves their sport, so we are proud to be bringing this match to Minjerribah,” Cr Williams said.

Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the match will also boost local tourism and business by showcasing the beautiful backdrop of the island.

“In partnership with Minjerribah’s Yulu-Burri-Ba health clinic and the Deadly Choices initiative, the match will also raise awareness of Quandamooka culture and promote health care access and initiatives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Council is proud to support this match for the third year with $9000 through round one of the 2021-2022 sponsorship program, which includes $1500 towards Quandamooka Cultural Awareness.”

“Events such as the Hostplus Cup are an example of how community partnerships can make a positive impact on society,” Cr Mitchell said.

“Through health education programs, we can work together to achieve health equality across the community on Minjerribah.”

Other National Reconciliation Week events include Family Sundays at the Gallery,  featuring a workshop with Dylan Sarra where visitors have the opportunity to learn how First Nations people use ochre and cotton tree to tell stories through painting and weaving. The event will be held at Redland Art Gallery on Sunday May 29 and will cater for people of all ages. For more information, visit Council’s What’s On calendar.

Respected and renowned cultural leader and Quandamooka Traditional Owner Matt Burns will delight and educate the young children as he shares the Quandamooka experience through face painting, traditional dance and digeridoo performances. It will be held on May 26 at Capalaba Library.

Bookings are essential and can be made here.