Reconciliation event held at theatre

Gosford Council held a well-attended Reconciliation Week event, incorporating a short film program and a keynote speaker, on Wednesday, May 28, at the Peninsula Theatre.

The film, Reconciliation: Sources of Healing, addressed various reconciliation issues, including the ways in which individuals, groups, and young people can get involved and make a contribution.

Darkinjung Aboriginal Land Council member Mr Phil Bligh was keynote speaker at the event.

"Reconciliation is essentially about forgiveness and should not be a meaningless debate about the meaning of key terms," he said.

"Although reconciliation doesn't address all questions of blame and fairness, it should be addressing indigenous disadvantages in, for example, education, health, and over-representation in jails and aiming to heal past wounds.

"It should also involve the entire Australian community in recognising indigenous communities as the original custodians of the land.

"We're outward looking and consider ourselves part of the rest of the Australian community."

Mr Bligh said that the reconciliation process must receive attention from grass roots as well as government levels.

"More and more school children are getting involved in reconciliation events and activities," he said.

Ms Beryl Collier, a member of the Central Coast Reconciliation Group, said: "Events like this one are attracting more and more people.

"Reconciliation is about friendship and respect - not looking down at people."

Con Orfanos, May 28