University of Sydney Reconciliation Statement Launch

On 1 June 2006, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Gavin Brown, launched the University of Sydney’s Reconciliation Statement in the presence of staff, students and Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members. The launch was held in the Main Quadrangle, the centre of which was covered in a chalk design by Dillon Kombummerri, representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Local Cadigal elder Mr Charles Madden gave the official Welcome to Country. Mr Madden described the extent of the lands of the Cadigal people, and welcomed all in attendance to these lands, on which the University’s Camperdown campus is located.

The Vice-Chancellor then spoke about the importance of the Reconciliation Statement, its initiatives and priorities, and the significance of Reconciliation within the University and in the wider community. Professor Brown acknowledged past inequities, and said that he saw the Statement as a new beginning and an opportunity to focus on the future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this educational institution.

Mr Phil Glendenning, Director of the Edmund Rice Centre for Social Justice and the President of Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), then addressed the gathering. Mr Glendenning echoed the views of Professor Brown in an inspiring address, emphasising the opportunity to create new awareness and action beyond rhetoric for Reconciliation in Australia. Mr Glendenning, a non-Indigenous man who is a passionate leader in Indigenous affairs, also shared many entertaining and meaningful anecdotes from his travels around the world to promote Reconciliation and Social Justice for all, from Ireland to Africa to various parts of Australia.

To complete the celebrations, everyone was treated to a performance by the Erskineville Aboriginal Dance Group, led by Mr Terry Olsen. The primary school children in the dance group enacted a range of scenes, including customary practices and imitations of Australian animals. It was an absolute delight to witness the children share their interpretation of Aboriginal culture.

Everyone at the gathering then shared a lunch of Torres Strait Islander cuisine in MacLaurin Hall.

Report by Shona Kennedy, Launch organiser and Indigenous Employment/Policy Officer, Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit.