Image by Ferne Millen
Image by Ferne Millen
How Geelong Arts Centre staff are taking ownership of their reconciliation journeys, getting involved, and making change.
How grateful we are to share stories, work, play, create and inspire on Wadawurrung land each and every day.
This year National Reconciliation Week takes place from 27 May to 3 June, with the 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” challenging all Australians to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
For over 65,000 years, the land on which Geelong Arts Centre stands has been a significant site for gathering, belonging and storytelling for the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Geelong Arts Centre is committed to continuing this tradition by embracing and celebrating the culture of Australia’s First Peoples and First Nations globally.
In the lead up to Reconciliation Week, Geelong Arts Centre staff have been encouraged to take the time to reflect, discuss and go further with their reconciliation learning by getting involved in a number of different ways, and we’d love you to join us.
Attend a Reconciliation Week event
The best way to learn is to get involved! Have a look at the Reconciliation Week website directory and be sure to walk or drive past Geelong Arts Centre’s Reconciliation Week Ryrie Street illumination after 9:00pm until 3 June. The building will be illuminated in colours inspired by the 2022 Reconciliation Week artwork, Be Brave. Make Change., by established Indigenous Australian illustrator and artist, Tori-Jay Mordey.
Brush up on your knowledge of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
Share Our Pride is designed to take you on an awareness-raising journey, answering more than the questions above. You can start, or continue, your journey by clicking here.
Immerse yourself in story and culture
If you can’t get to an event, why not engage with some incredibly powerful First Nations Film and TV?
The Geelong Arts Centre team recommends:
- The Australian Dream
- The Sapphires
- Top End Wedding
- Bran Nue Dae
- Wrong Kind of Black
- Beneath the Clouds
- Toomelah
Learn about the extraordinary First Nations artists contributing to the Geelong Arts Centre Little Malop Street Redevelopment
We recently worked with Wadawurrung artist Kait James and First Nations artists Gerard Black, Tarryn Love and Mick Ryan on a series of videos that take us into their creative workspaces to reveal the stories behind their unique artworks which will be part of the fabric of the new Geelong Arts Centre. Find out more.
Remember, reconciliation requires Australians to take action every week, not just in Reconciliation Week. Begin now with brave actions in your daily lives – where you live, work, play and socialise.
Now is the time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.