An event was held at the Margaret River Library on Saturday to mark National Reconciliation Week and recognise the 50 years since a referendum to include Aboriginal people in the national census, allowing the federal government to make laws for traditional occupants of the country.
Members of the Undalup Association joined with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River to conduct the event, which focused on introducing traditional South West cultural elements to local residents and visitors.
Complementing the bush tucker displays, taste-testing and arts and crafts activities outside the library, Undalup traditional custodian Wayne Webb and cultural custodian Iszaac Webb presented a documentary on the Waljin Mia (Rainbow Cave), a sacred cultural place for the Wadandi people of the South West.
This year’s Reconciliation Week also marks a quarter century since the historic Mabo decision, a landmark Australian legal case which resulted in the recognition of land rights of the Meriam people as traditional owners of the Murray Islands in the Torres Strait.
Augusta Margaret River Shire community development officer Susie Elton said the Reconciliation Week event was an opportunity for the Shire to work in partnership with the local Aboriginal organisation.
“The activities and information shared honours and respects both anniversaries and their significance to all Australians,” Ms Elton said.
