General News
21 June, 2023
Event earns national recognition
MOYNE Shire Council’s Indigenous Reflection event on January 26 has been recognised at the National Awards for Local Government.
MOYNE Shire Council’s Indigenous Reflection event on January 26 has been recognised at the National Awards for Local Government.
The Indigenous Reflection event on January 26 - Ngootyoong Laka, Ngootyoong Yana - walking and talking with respect – received an honourable mention in the Indigenous recognition category at the annual awards presented in Canberra last Tuesday.
The reflection was planned with and led by Peek Whurrong Uncle Rob Lowe Senior and Gunditjmara-Kirrae Whurrong man Brett Clarke, with input from Moyne Shire’s Australia Day ambassador Shane Howard.
A crowd of more than 300 people gathered at the Indigenous Massacres Memorial at Port Fairy’s Railway Place for a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and storytelling.
Moyne Shire mayor Karen Foster said the response following the event was overwhelmingly positive”.
“It allowed Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members to come together to talk, listen, learn and share stories, language and culture,” she said.
“The ceremony started meaningful conversations and actions highlighting unified pathways forward within our shire.
“We are very proud of this recognition and of the collaborative approach we took to acknowledging and sharing local Indigenous stories as part of events to mark January 26.”
The National Awards for Local Government highlight initiatives implemented by local governments which are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence, and have outcomes which are replicable across the country.