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Massacre memorial this weekend

3rd of Jun, 2008 10:18 am

THIS Saturday’s commemoration of the Myall Creek masscare will reflect a new stage in reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, being the first since since the Federal Government’s apology to the Stolen Generations, according to a member of the NSW Reconciliation Council.

The commemoration service, to start at 10am, will mark the 170th anniversary of the massacre of 28 Wirrayaray people on Myall Creek Station between Delungra and Bingara, in 1838.

The guest speaker at this year’s service will be Fred Chaney, a former Liberal senator, current director of Reconciliation Australia and Chair of Desert Knowledge.

“The coming together of the settler descendants and the Aboriginal community to share their history is an outstanding example of using history to restore relationships rather than war about white or black armbands,” Mr Chaney said.

“We share the country and we share the stories, good and bad,” he said.

Graeme Cordiner of Sydney Friends of Myall Creek, also a member of the NSWRC, expects the highlight of the event to be the range of people attending, from local idigenous and non-indigenous high school students and elders to out-of-towners from Moree, Inverell and Glen Innes.

“The diversity of people that want to come and show their respect for the indigenous people who died in this massacre 170 years ago is testament to the strength of the grassroots people’s movement for reconciliation in NSW,” Mr Cordiner said.

“Out of something as terrible as the Myall Creek massacre comes something good – indigenous and non-indigenous Australians acknowledging that we must know both the black and the white histories of Australia in order to advance reconciliation,” he said.

Among those attending the service this Saturday will be NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch, Department of Aboriginal Affairs chief Jody Broun and Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay.

NSWRC chair Renee Williamson said the role of grassroots reconciliations such as the annual Myall Creek massacre service were played a vital role in helping reconciliation at a local level.

“The NSWRC works with local reconciliation groups, like the Sydney Friends of Myall Creek, to make sure these events run to keep the reconciliation process moving forwards,” Ms Williamson said.

The council has launched a new supporters program, which aims to raise $100,000 to assist with organising local-level reconciliation events.

“Individuals and organisations can sign up for as little as $50 per year, and join the people’s movement for reconciliation in NSW,” she said.