Woollahra to mark Reconciliation Week with film screening and cultural push

By DANIEL LO SURDO

Woollahra Council will mark National Reconciliation Week with a film screening and other activities that hope to help “tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation” in Australia.

National Reconciliation Week, which will run until June 3 and has the theme of “Be Brave. Make Change.” this year, is said by organisers to be “a 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.”

Reconciliation Australia chief executive Karen Mundine said that they saw an “unprecedented response” to suggested action following Reconciliation Week last year.

“This year we are asking everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where they live, work, play and socialise.”

Woollahra library to host film screening during Reconciliation Week

On Tuesday, Woollahra Library in Double Bay will be hosting a free screening of ‘Teach A Man To Fish’, by Aboriginal filmmaker Grant Leigh Saunders, focusing on the reconnection of Indigenous culture, set in central New South Wales.

Further, eastern suburbs residents have been encouraged to expand their understanding of the Dharawal language (the traditional owners of coastal Sydney) by downloading the free Dharawal Language and Culture application that according to Dharawal Elder, Dr Shayne Williams, hopes to “widen the use and practise of our language and culture throughout our country and decrease the risk of further diminishment of our rich cultural heritage”.

Council said that they are working to introduce Dharawal language classes at the Woollahra Preschool from July.