Moyne Shire Council’s Indigenous Reflection event has been recognised at the National Awards for Local Government.
Council’s January 26 Indigenous Reflection event, ‘Ngootyoong Laka, Ngootyoong Yana – walking and talking with respect’ received an honourable mention in the Indigenous recognition category at the annual awards presented in Canberra yesterday.
The reflection was planned with and led by Peek Whurrong, Uncle Rob Lowe Senior and
Gunditjmara-Kirrae Whurrong man, Brett Clarke, with input from Moyne Shire’s Australia Day ambassador, Shane Howard.
The event saw a crowd of over 300 people gather at the Indigenous Massacres Memorial at Port Fairy’s Railway Place for a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and storytelling.
Mayor, Karen Foster said the response following the event was overwhelmingly positive.
“It allowed Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members to come together to talk, listen, learn and share stories, language and culture,” she said.
“The ceremony started meaningful conversations and actions highlighting unified pathways forward within our Shire.
“We are very proud of this recognition and of the collaborative approach we took to acknowledging and sharing local Indigenous stories as part of events to mark January 26.”
The National Awards for Local Government highlight initiatives implemented by local
governments that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display
excellence, and have outcomes that are replicable across the country.
