National Reconciliation Week celebrations in Moreton Bay

Published 13 May 2019

Moreton Bay Region Libraries are inviting you to come celebrate National Reconciliation Week (May 27 - June 3) -  Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage later this month.

Spokesperson for Lifestyle and Amenity Councillor Denise Sims said Indigenous Elders Dr Hegarty (Aunty Ruth) and Aunty Flo Watson (Order of Australia medal OAM) would share Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders histories, cultures and achievements at Redcliffe and North Lakes Libraries to commemorate the week.

“Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world and to be able to learn the traditions and values of Indigenous peoples from these women is something we can all be proud about,” she said.

“I encourage you to save the date and head down to our libraries to learn the essence of what National Reconciliation Week is all about.”

Division 6 Councillor Koliana Winchester encouraged people to visit Redcliffe Library on May 23 at 10am to hear Dr Hegarty’s speech commemorating National Sorry Day - held each year on May 26 to reflect on the past policies, forced child removal and the impacts of such.

“Aunty Ruth’s early life was spent in Cherbourg’s Barambah Aboriginal Settlement and in 1966, both she and her husband moved to Brisbane with their eight children,” she said.

“In 1998 Aunty Ruth won the prestigious David Unaipon Award for her memoir Is that you Ruthie? Its sequel Bittersweet Journey was published in 2003.”

 Division 4 Councillor Julie Greer urged people to head to North Lakes Library on Saturday, 1 June at 10am where residents would also have the chance to meet Aunty Flo Watson - Elder and traditional owner of the Ghunghanghi People of Yarrabah.

“Aunty Flo is a founding member of Reconciliation Queensland and also the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA); and was appointed by the Queensland Premier as ACPA’s first patron - a position she currently holds,” she said.

“In 2015 she received an OAM for her service to Indigenous communities in Queensland.”

National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week events and registration details below:

National Sorry Day morning tea with Dr Hegarty (Aunty Ruth) - Redcliffe Library -Thursday, 23 May between 10am and 11.30am

National Reconciliation Week - Meet Aunty Flo Watson - North Lakes Library - Saturday 1 June between 10am and 11.30am.

Registration is essential for both events.

 Ends.