Six western Victorian councils, under the banner of the Western Region Local Government Reconciliation Network (WRLGRN), have partnered to launch the Rivers to Recognition campaign.
The campaign takes place from October to December, and aims to raise awareness about the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the First Australians.
The program includes a major Western Region forum in Footscray about the Constitutional referendum, smaller community forums across the western region including Hobsons Bay, and a live music event to celebrate culture and recognise First Australians.
Headline acts at the concert will be highly acclaimed and award winning artist Archie Roach with Radical Son, Frank Yamma, SKIN CHOIR and Nancy Bates, while arts workshops and a market provide further entertainment.
A series of free workshops and community forums, hosted by ANTaR and Reconciliation Victoria, will examine what constitutional recognition means and why it is important.
A diversity of views regarding the proposed changes will be presented and discussed.
Western region councils are also supporting conversations about the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by developing a local resource guide which will be available at libraries and secondary schools across Melbourne’s West.
Councils partnering in the project include Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Maribrynong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham City.
