Projections on City Hall and installations across the city will mark Reconciliation week in Geelong.Artworks by First Nations people will light up the council offices in Gheringhap Street from Saturday night, along with the Barwon Water forecourt and Shorts Place, off Little Malop Street.
Under the 2023 theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations,’ the Geelong project is a partnership between the City of Greater Geelong, projection artist Olaf Meyer, and The Torch program, which supports First Nations artists currently imprisoned or recently released from prison in Victoria.
The council said the projections would also feature statements from the artists, and will be accompanied by a soundtrack by musician Norm Stanley.
The city will also mark Reconciliation Week by illuminating the catenary lights in Moorabool St and trees along the Geelong waterfront.
On Sunday Johnstone Park will host Reconciliation in the Park, a free event presented by the One Fire group that will showcase local aboriginal artist’s creations and will include workshops, performers, a market and children’s activities.
Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said Reconciliation Week was an opportunity for locals to get to know the region’s First Nations people and celebrate their contribution to the community.
“Reconciliation Week is a time for us to reflect on our shared histories and cultures and to continue examining what we can do as individuals and as a community to contribute to reconciliation in Australia,” said Cr Sullivan.
Other Reconciliation Week activities include:
The Heart – A Shared Journey
A forum to discuss the Uluru Statement from the Heart, presented by the City of Greater Geelong and supported by the City’s Kilangitj Aboriginal Advisory Committee featuring Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, First Nations community Elders and representatives from Reconciliation Victoria.
The forum will take place at the City’s Wurriki Nyal administration building between 1pm and 4pm on Tuesday 30 May. While tickets have sold out, names can be added to a wait list at www.eventsgeelong.com.au.
Koorie Student Aspiration Day
An expo designed for Year 10 to 12 students provided in conjunction with the Geelong chapter of the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. The expo, hosted at Geelong Tech School on Wednesday 24 May and Thursday 25 May, is designed to encourage students to consider Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics as potential career paths.
Image: Artwork from Geelong’s 2019 Reconciliation Week projections. Artist: Nathan Patterson (City of Greater Geelong)