Healesville Sanctuary is marking National Reconciliation Week with a variety of opportunities for visitors to connect with culture and discover more about the Traditional Custodians – the Wurundjeri people.
Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi will lead the weekend’s activities and is inviting Healesville Sanctuary visitors to discover what reconciliation means to him.
According to Murrundindi, Reconciliation Week is a week of celebration where all people can come together in peace and harmony.
“What I would like to see one day, is all races of people coming together to show respect to one another as sisters and brothers,” he said.
“To me, every day is Reconciliation Day. My grandmother said to me, ‘Every day you must work together for reconciliation with all races of people’.”
What’s On at Healesville Sanctuary:
∙ Dark Skies: Join the team from the Mt Burnett Observatory to learn all about the ancient art of Aboriginal Astronomy. 11am and 1pm, Saturday 28 May, Robert Eadie Pavilion.
∙ Welcome to Country: 10:30am, Sunday 29 May, Koala Picnic Lawns.
∙ Sea of Hands: Contribute to reconciliation by creating a ‘hands up’ artwork, showing commitment to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Island people and non-Indigenous Australians. 10 -11am and 12 -1pm, Saturday 28 May and Sunday 29 May, Robert Eadie Pavilion.
∙ Promise Sculpture: Pledge your commitment to reconciliation by writing a word associated with reconciliation on a river rock and placing it amongst others, forming a promise circle.
10am and 2pm, Saturday 28 May and Sunday 29 May, Robert Eadie Lawn.
∙ Cultural Artefacts Display
∙ Aboriginal Stories in the Book Nook
∙ Indigenous Art Exhibition
∙ Aboriginal Culture with Indigenous artist Nikki Browne
∙ Aunty Sheree with artefacts
∙ Wurundjeri Walk
For more information visit: zoo.org.au/healesvillesanctuary
