a day of celebration

All over the country people were celebrating Australia Day in a whole range of different ways. I started the day at the Shire’s Citizenship Ceremony in Lilydale and then moved on to Survival Day in Belgrave.

Citizenship Ceremonies are always a wonderful celebration, but they are particularly special on Australia Day. I had the great privilege of welcoming our newest group of citizens to the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

It was wonderful to see Polly Ashburner, Librarian at the Belgrave Library taking up citizenship today.

“As a Shire of Yarra Ranges Councillor I can honestly say that we value and appreciate the diversity of views and backgrounds of our citizens. For it is only when we all truly understand diversity and difference that we can accept and embrace all people regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds……You have chosen a wonderful part of the world to live, rich in natural assets……they all provide a stunning backdrop for our community which is our greatest asset of all.”

It was the second running of Survival Day in Belgrave. The day is about raising awareness of indigenous issues and celebrating indigenous culture and heritage. It is an event I am very proud to support and we are fortunate that our community has committed and passionate people willing to put in the time and effort to organise Survival Day. Thank you, you all did a great job.

Me and Aunty Dot Peters at Survival Day. Aunty Dot, an Elder of the Healesville community, did the welcome ceremony for Survival Day. It was great to see her back again. She is renowned for her traditional method of basket weaving which she learnt from her grandmother, one of the last people to live at Healesville’s historical Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve (1863-1924).

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I had the honour of speaking at Survival Day, “Survival Day is a very appropriate phrase. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are a strong and proud people, it is that strength that has seen them survive some terrible and atrocious acts. It is that strength that continues to see the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to this day and gives all of us the opportunity to celebrate indigenous culture in Belgrave today……Survival Day is a great way to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders locally. The sharing of knowledge, culture and history is important in understanding diversity and difference. It is through understanding that we can truly accept and embrace all cultures.”

Nigel Wilkes and the Healesville Indigenous Dance Troupe treated Survival Day participants to a fantastic performance of traditional dance.

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While the day was upbeat with live music from Lee 'Sonnyboy' Morgan and Band there was a serious side when Uncle Henry Atkinson (a Yorta Yorta Elder now living in Knox) spoke about the history of indigenous people and their struggle to survive. Uncle Henry brought home the reality of living as an indigenous person in Australia and the struggle for true self determination.

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It was great to see Oxfam at Survival Day. Kathy Tyler from the Dandenong Ranges Branch of Oxfam spoke about the close the gap campaign, which aims to reduce the 17 year gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non indigenous people.

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The boys of the Healesville Indigenous Dance Troupe showing me a few moves. At one stage the Troupe had half the audience up in a group traditional dance, it was a great sight to see.