By Dongyun Kwon
Healesville Sanctuary is showing off its statewide recognised Indigenous cultural event once more to celebrate National Reconciliation Week over the weekend from 1 and 2 June.
Healesville Sanctuary won the Gold Award twice in a row at the Victorian Tourism Awards, for its dedication to connecting Wurundjeri Country and Culture with its beautiful bushland setting with Indigenous plants over the last two years.
Healesville Sanctuary director Ross Williamson said Healesville Sanctuary is committed to learning, reflecting on and embracing Indigenous Culture.
“This is a space that we are continuing to develop into the future,” he said.
“This aligns with Zoos Victoria’s core values which include the commitment to inclusivity of all people, and to the empathy, respect and care for all humans and wildlife.
“We are pleased to be recognised in the Victorian Tourism Awards for the Sanctuary’s cultural experiences and we would like to see this area grow.”
Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi will come to Healesville Sanctuary to conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony at 2.30pm both on Saturday and Sunday on the Koala Picnic Lawns at Healesville Sanctuary.
He encourages everyone who is interested in Indigenous Culture to come along.
“I’ll be reflecting on National Reconciliation Week with visitors,” he said.
“I’m hopeful for the future. I’ve been sharing my culture with younger generations for years and I hope this will continue. I welcome more interest from peoples of all walks of life, so we can listen, learn and love Indigenous history.
“All cultures should come together for reconciliation and every day should be treated as a chance for reconciliation. I believe in peace, harmony and respect.”
The event is from 9am to 5pm, free with admission.
Mr Williamson said Healesville Sanctuary is continuing to engage and increase meaningful partnerships with First Peoples to support work that is done for Country.
“While Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating its 90th anniversary of opening, it is the 100th anniversary of the forced closure of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station,” he said.
“We know that the Sanctuary is a special place for Wurundjeri and other First Peoples that were forcibly moved to this Country, and we try to make it as open to First Peoples as we can.”
What’s on at the event: Welcome to Country by Murrundindi, Sea of Hands, Indigenous Art Exhibition, Wurundjeri Culture Self-Guided Tour, Weaving with Indigenous artist Nikki Browne, Serendipitous Culture with Lisa Hodgson, Interactive art workshop with Indigenous artist Angie Cleaver, Aunty Sherree shares her culture and artefacts, Storytime
For more information, visit the What’s On page at zoo.org.au/healesville
