A week for reconciliation

RECONCILIATION Week is coming to Greater Dandenong next month to commemorate milestone policy changes affecting Aboriginal communities.
Initiated in 1996, Reconciliation Week aims to bring a focus to nationwide activities and to highlight the need for continuous steps towards reconciliation.
Starting on 27 May, Reconciliation Week marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum in which more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to strike discriminatory clauses from the Constitution.
It also marks the anniversary of the High Court of Australia’s decision to recognise the Native Title rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The City of Greater Dandenong is a regional centre for local Aboriginal communities and houses the Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative and other Aboriginal service organisations.
The council has a dedicated Aboriginal policy officer, Bryon Powell, who is responsible for advocating on behalf of the local Aboriginal community.
His role is to be an Aboriginal representative on the relevant council committees, forums and seminars.
Mr Powell works as an advocate and consultant for various Aboriginal needs and issues in areas such as cultural heritage, town planning and policy direction.
Dandenong Library will host a talk by Mr Powell titled Wadawurrung Dreaming, which will include hands-on experiences with tools, boomerangs and other Aboriginal cultural items.
The talk will be held on Wednesday 30 May 7pm to 8.30pm.