Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week 2022 activities

Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week will be recognised across the shire with a range of events.

Sorry Day, held on 26 May each year, is an annual day of remembrance to acknowledge the pain and injustice experienced by members of the stolen generation.

National Reconciliation Week starts the following day from Friday 27 May to Friday 3 June.

This year’s theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change’, and is a challenge to all Australians to ‘be brave’ and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can ‘make change’ for the benefit of all Australians.

Join in one of the local events being held, and show your support for reconciliation.

Sorry Day Commemoration
When: Thursday 26 May, 10.30am
Where: Castlemaine Botanical Gardens (meet near the Rotunda)

Uncle Rick Nelson, Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, will conduct a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, and the event will also feature guest speakers, who will reflect on the theme through their personal stories.

Film screening and Q&A: Where the Water Starts
When: Thursday 26 May, 7.30pm
Where: Theatre Royal, 30 Hargraves Street, Castlemaine
Book: www.theatreroyalcastlemaine.com.au/events/where-the-water-starts

Where the Water Starts reveals how the fragile alpine region, particularly Kosciuszko National Park, the largest in the Australian Alps is seen by a number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who were born or live, or who care deeply about it. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A.

Sorry Tree and Possum Skin Cloak display
When: Friday 27 May–Friday 3 June
Where: Castlemaine Library foyer, 212 Barker St, Castlemaine
More information: visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraries/castlemaine for opening hours

Official opening of Reconciliation Week
When: Friday 27 May, 10.30am
Where: Market Building, Mostyn Street, Castlemaine

This is the official opening of the Reconciliation Week program. The event will include a Welcome to Country, guest speakers and the Nalderun awards ceremony. Light refreshments included.

Reconciliation Exhibition
When: Friday 27 May–Friday 3 June, 9.00am–5.00pm
Where: Market Building, 44 Mostyn St, Castlemaine

The week-long exhibition will include historical displays, Indigenous artefacts, local stories, and more. The exhibition is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Special story time with Aunty Kerri Douglas
When: Wednesday 1 June, 10.30am–11.30am
Where: Castlemaine Library, 212 Barker St, Castlemaine
More information: www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraries/castlemaine

A special Reconciliation Week-themed story time with stories, songs and rhymes with Aunty Kerri Douglas, followed by a Bunjil craft activity for all ages.

Official opening of the Tammia'long Room with Uncle Rick Nelson
When: Wednesday 1 June, 11.00am–11.30pm
Where: Castlemaine Library, 212 Barker St, Castlemaine
Book: eventbrite

Tammia'long means quiet in in Djaara language, and this word was given to the new library room by Uncle Rick Nelson which will be used as a quiet meeting space. This event is an official Welcome to Country and will include some words from Uncle Rick to officially open our new room. It will be followed by morning tea catered by Murnong Mummas. All are welcome.

Reconciliation Week walking tour
When: Thursday 2 June
Where: location will be provided upon booking
Fee: $5 donation (to Nalderun)
Book: booking essential – please call CHIRP on 5479 1000 or visit www.chirp.org.au/reconciliation-week-walking-tour/.

A range of stimulating and educational activities will also run as part of the National Reconciliation Week program across the shire including children’s storytime at the Castlemaine Library, films at the Theatre Royal, cultural tours and walks, and more.

For information on the full range of events pick up a program from the Civic Centre, the Castlemaine Library and other locations across the shire. You can also stay up to date with events by visiting Council or Nalderun's Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/MountAlexanderShire and www.facebook.com/nalderun/.