OUR community united on Friday for a Reconciliation Sorry Day Walk in Culburra Beach.
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Over 400 men, women and children supported the event, walking from Crookhaven Sports Field to Culburra Public School with the shared notion “It’s time to change it up” as part of National Reconciliation Week.
It was the first time the Orient Point and Culburra Beach communities held a combined walk.
Culburra and Jervis Bay public schools, Orient Point and Culburra preschools and Jerrinja Aboriginal, Wreck Bay and South Coast community members proudly carried banners and signs filled with heartfelt messages of hope for a unified Australia while drenched in the colours of the Aboriginal flag.
When the crowd poured into the school’s grounds Dwayne Bannon-Harrison performed a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the area. There were a few coughs but as the smoke washed over the children and the school grounds few could be fail to be moved.
Jerrinja Aboriginal Community member Darryll Farrell helped co-ordinate the event alongside other members of the community, the schools and Anglicare’s Little Black Duck program.
He said the walk was a step towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
‘It’s time to change it up,” he said.
“If we’re going to make a change we need to start with the children. They hold the key to our future. To see so many excited children here today is fabulous.
“Today is a huge step in the right direction.”
Culburra Public School principal Melissa Day said there simply weren’t enough words for her to paint the picture of the day.
“I looked back at you all while I was walking and was overwhelmed with how beautiful you all looked walking together today,” she said.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of something so special and part of the history we have made here today.
“It’s the beginning of something amazing we will do together as a community year after year.”
Anglicare’s Little Black Duck senior program manager Maria Orr said the weeks leading up to the event and the day were great opportunities for children to learn about Indigenous culture.
“The program provides Aboriginal children with therapy where we help them to heal through play,” she said.
“The families and practitioners part of the program are here today and I know they, as well all have, found this experience very humbling.”
Anglicare Indigenous adviser Sue-Anne Cutmore said it was a special moment to be part of.
“To see this turnout and the support is wonderful.”
Anglicare Family Relationship Centre manager Jacqui Leonard said it was delightful to see so many bright and positive signs and happy faces.
“It has been an opportunity to be part of something that rights the wrongs of the past and moves us forward to a positive future.”