The annual memorial commemoration ceremony for those who died in the Myall Creek massacre will be held on site on Saturday, June 12.

This public commemoration is held at Myall Creek, west of Inverell on the Bingara-Delungra Rd, commencing at 9.30am.

The guest speaker this year is Karen Barker, a young Ngemba/Gamilaroi woman born in Brewarrina and raised in Moree.

An Indigenous educationalist and facilitator within both Catholic and State systems, Ms Barker is passionate about socio/economic development for her people.

Two highlights this year will be the schools competition with 84 local schools invited to participate, and an open discussion on a concept for an education/cultural centre at Myall Creek.

The Myall Creek Memorial was erected in June 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people working together in an act of reconciliation. It was awarded the Judith Wright Prize for innovative reconciliation work in 2005.

In June 2008 Peter Garrett announced Myall Creek Memorial as part of the national heritage register.

The memorial commemorates the unprovoked massacre of 28 Wirrayaraay women, children and old men by a group of stockmen in 1838.

The story of the massacre, and of the remarkable ongoing and growing grassroots reconciliation are told through the annual memorial ceremony.

© 2010 Armidale Express

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