National Reconciliation Week to bring numerous programs and initiatives to City of Bunbury

Following last year’s failed referendum to create a First Nations Voice to Parliament, Now More Than Ever will be the theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week programs and initiatives supported by Reconciliation WA and the City of Bunbury. Several events will be held in the city during the week, which started on Monday and continues until June 3. Reconciliation WA CEO Jody Nunn said the impact of the referendum should be prioritised, not ignored, in discussions about reconciliation. “Reconciliation is important to prioritise to move us all to a place of unity, respect and understanding,” she said. “The week is to bring us together to do a range of activities to remind people of the facts and the truth and so we can ensure everyone moves forward in a positive direction.” Ms Nunn said the organisation worked with the city of Bunbury to support and build on the work it already did with the annual Walk for Reconciliation. “We were really wanting to make some strong footprints locally and walk alongside mob. Karen Jetta and the team at the city of Bunbury, along with local Aboriginal groups, have worked for reconciliation down there in sort of a voluntary capacity,“ she said. “So we’ve been working and talking with them to make sure we add some infrastructure and some support to their fantastic work they’ve already done. So (we’re) really looking forward to that.” This year’s walk will take place on Friday May 31 from noon-2pm around Koombana Bay, with hopes the event will attract people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren, families, public servants and businesses. Ms Nunn said as to why there was an ongoing need for reconciliation, that was a million-dollar question. “My dream is in my lifetime we won’t need a reconciliation body because we will make ourselves redundant — that would be the Holy Grail of our good work,” she said. “I have great faith that the world is absolutely changing and moving forward. We can’t deny that we had 6.2 million Yes votes during the referendum. “Even if people didn’t vote Yes, we say it’s really important that we maintain open communication with everyone and keep educating and supporting people to understand that it’s not about division, it’s actually about unity. If we seek unity, then everyone is better off.”