‘Atrocities’ noted on Australia Day
SYDNEY: Australia Day was an occasion to acknowledge the ‘‘atrocities’’ committed against Aboriginal people over the past two centuries so that the nation can heal itself, an indigenous leader says.
Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon began her welcome to the country at Sydney’s harbourside morning ceremony on Saturday by noting January 26 was a ‘‘sombre’’ day for first nations people.
She asked everyone present at Barangaroo Reserve to stand for a minute’s silence.
‘‘On this day 231 years ago it was the beginning of a devastating change in the lives of the first nations of this land,’’ Weldon said.
‘‘A change that was the start of traumas never experienced before.’’
The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council chairwoman said indigenous people had practised their traditions for thousands of years and endless generations, but ‘‘there have been many lessons learnt at our expense and our dispossession’’.
‘‘They should and must be acknowledged,’’ she told a crowd that included NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Governor David Hurley.
‘‘It is right to stop, reflect and declare the atrocities that have taken place on this land. Not out of a guilt but to listen, learn, share and come together.’’
Weldon said that had to be done so Australia could heal its past and create an inclusive future.
‘‘Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land — we have survived,’’ she said when formally welcoming everyone to Gadigal land.
‘‘Have a wonderful Survival Day.’’
Australia Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships into Port Jackson in 1788.
Berejiklian said Weldon’s welcome contained ‘‘strong words that all of us needed to hear’’.
The premier said it was appropriate on Australia Day to ‘‘renew our commitment to working to protect, respect and celebrate this beautiful culture’’.
The governor used his address to call for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to be taught more widely in schools and communities.
‘‘This is eminently achievable and desirable, not just to revitalise a spoken form, but to promote a deeper understanding of culture.’’
Mr Hurley said too many people did not know the language group of the traditional owners of the land on which they lived, or the local Aboriginal names of the places around them.
The governor said Australia as a nation was on a historical journey which comprised four stages — acknowledge, apologise, build and reconcile. He suggested nonindigenous Australians were at the first stage.
After the speeches, the national anthem was sung in both the Eora language and English by Jason Owen standing atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as both the Aboriginal and Australian flags were raised.