May 29, 2023

UOW aims to educate and celebrate during National Reconciliation Week

Community day, lunchtime seminars focus on truth-telling, healing and support for Voice to Parliament

The University of Wollongong (UOW) will recognise National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) through a series of events aimed at building a more cohesive and equitable community and encourage all staff and students to be a voice for reconciliation.

The theme of National Reconciliation Week is Be A Voice For Generations, which will be explored in a series of seminars taking place throughout the week.

Each year UOW staff and students come together during National Reconciliation Week to celebrate the individual and professional achievements of people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their contributions to making UOW a culturally diverse and inclusive university.

The events are organised by UOW’s Indigenous Strategy Unit and Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, which are committed to increasing the participation and engagement of First Nations people at the University.

The week will culminate in a National Reconciliation Community Day on Thursday (1 June) when all members of the community will be invited to reflect on our shared history and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The event will feature speakers, dances from Muladha Gamara Dancers and Torres Strait Islander dance team Kebi Kub, a BBQ, bush tucker, weaving session, and an Aboriginal tools and weaponry display table. Open to all students, staff and members of the community, it will also focus on UOW’s commitment to the truth-telling, education and healing that is fundamental to the reconciliation journey.

A series of seminars will be held, in person and online, aimed at providing staff and students with all the information they need on the proposed Voice to Parliament, with a focus on law, policy, and the importance of collective community.

Featuring experts drawn from UOW and the wider community, the lunchtime seminars are open to all and will be interactive and engaging. The topics featured will be:

• Constitutional Reform: What it means to non-Indigenous voters
• What is the Voice? Interactive session with Geoff Scott, from The Uluru Dialogue at the University of New South Wales
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament: Beyond the Yes Vote

Wiradjuri woman, Tammy Small, Manager Projects, Indigenous Advancement, said this year’s National Reconciliation Week was a time to reflect on the importance of the Voice to Parliament and to celebrate the shared culture, history and achievements of First Nations peoples.

“The focus of this National Reconciliation Week, Be A Voice for Generations, aligns with the work that is already underway at UOW,” Ms Small said. 

“We are working to ensure that we are educating the next generation about the significance of truth telling and of ensuring that First Nations peoples have a platform in the decisions that affect their lives and communities.

“Cultural immersion community events provide our staff and students with the opportunity to transform their thinking, through engaging with, and valuing, the stories of individuals. We must remember as a collective that reconciliation is everybody’s business.”

Registrations for the online seminars are essential. To register, please click here: https://uow.swoogo.com/nrw2023

For more information about National Reconciliation Week, please click here: https://www.uow.edu.au/about/our-vision-strategy/our-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-strategy/national-reconciliation-week/