National Reconciliation Week

Everything Geraldton have made it easy to find out what's happening for National Reconciliation Week in Geraldton with the events all listed on the website , and also in the Everything Geraldton app. 

National Reconciliation Week will kick off next week with the City of GreaterGeraldton’s calendar of events providing something for everyone.

City Mayor, Ian Carpenter, said National Reconciliation Week is a time to focus on building better relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians.

“It’s also a time to come together to acknowledge the enormous contributions that Australia’s First Peoples have made to shape our nation,” he said.

“This year's Reconciliation Week theme is 'Let’s Talk Recognition'; it is all about Australians better recognising each other and building self-esteem.

“The City has put together a calendar of events that has something for everyone to enjoy and be involved in and I’m proud to present it here,” Mr Carpenter said.

Barndi Bilangga – Good things in the sky

The launch of the Ilgarijiri ‘eggs’ sculptures will mark the beginning of the City of Greater Geraldton’s calendar of events for National Reconciliation Week on Monday, May 27.

The sculpture concept has been drawn from local indigenous artists’ paintings - Wajarri, by Margaret Whitehurst and Badimaya by Barbara Merritt, from the 2009 Ilgarijiri Exhibition – a collection of works by local artists commemorating the United Nation’s International Year of Astronomy, featuring indigenous images of the night sky and the stories derived from it.

An evening launch from 5pm at the site on the Geraldton Foreshore will include storytelling, a performing artist and a brazier ceremony.

Storytelling in beautiful Wadjarri language

Local identity Leonie Boddington will introduce the beauty of the Wadjarri language to the youngest members of the community through storytelling at the Geraldton Regional Library on Monday, May 27 and Friday, May 31, from 9.30 to 10.30am. No booking is required.

Wave the flag at Mullewa community events

Reconciliation events in Mullewa will begin with a flag raising ceremony from 10am at the Mullewa Town Hall, Maitland Rd, and continue throughout the day with guest speakers, Indigenous performances, cooking competition and an evening film. For information call 9961 1007.

Bonita Mabo visits Geraldton for Reconciliation Week

Mrs Bonita Mabo, widow of Eddie Mabo, and one of her 10 children, will visit Geraldton as part of Reconciliation Week where the award-winning documentary- drama Mabo, about her late husband’s legal fight for land rights will screen at Queens Park Theatre.

Eddie Mabo will always be remembered for his 10-year legal battle that brought about the Native Title Act 1993, after finding the courts believed Australia was terra nullius or the ‘land belonging to no one’ before European settlement.

And standing right by his side until his death in 1992, five months before the High Court handed down the ruling in his favour, was his wife, Bonita.

Local schools and community members are invited to QPT for the free screenings from noon to 2pm or from 6-8pm on Friday, May 31. Special guests representing the Mabo family will talk about the journey that led to the landmark Mabo decision which has shaped Aboriginal legal rights to this day.

Seats are limited but bookings are essential for the free screenings. Book at the Civic Centre or call 9956 6662 or online at www.queensparktheatre.com.au

Share the music and closing ceremony

The City’s National Reconciliation Week events will draw to a close from 10am until 1pm at the Marine Tce Clock Tower on Saturday, June 1 with local artists entertaining with plenty of colours and songs.

Let’s talk recognition at the library

There will be a display at the Geraldton Regional Library all week, from Monday, May 27 to Saturday, June 1 to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.

Click here to download a PDF of the events list.