National Reconciliation Week 2025 celebrated in the Gannawarra
Published on 29 May 2025
A record crowd gathered in Kerang yesterday as part of events to mark National Reconciliation Week 2025.
Gannawarra Shire Council, in partnership with Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Northern District Community Health and the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group, hosted events held outside the Kerang Council Building and the Kerang Memorial Hall, attended by more than 350 people.
“It is great to see National Reconciliation Week celebrations continue to grow in the Gannawarra, with the number of residents taking the time to mark this special occasion increasing each year,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.
“The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is Bridging Now to Next, which calls on all of us to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward towards reconciliation as past lessons guide us.
“This message was evident as part of our celebrations, which attracted school children from across Gannawarra and beyond including Kerang, Cohuna, Koondrook, Murrabit, and Barham, as well as Aboriginal Elders and other community leaders.”
ABOVE: Ray Davis and Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton raised the Aboriginal flag outside the Kerang Council Building as part of the Gannawarra's National Reconciliation Week celebrations.
Festivities began outside the Kerang Council Building with Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton joining Ray Davis in raising the Aboriginal flag, before community leaders joined Elders and residents in walking to the Kerang Memorial Hall.
Celebrations at the Kerang Memorial Hall included a Smoking Ceremony and Barapa Barapa Welcome to Country lead by Hack Webster, a reading of the story ‘Country’ by Aunty Lil Murray, and music from Yorta Yorta musician, Madi Colville-Walker.
A free morning tea followed proceedings, with those attending also able to view various pieces of art created by local indigenous children and youth groups, Kethawil Pembenguuk and Tyipen Kwe.
“The celebrations at the Kerang Memorial Hall catered for all ages, and it was pleasing to welcome Madi back to the Gannawarra as an inspiring role model for local children and young people,” Mr Rollinson said.
ABOVE: Aunty Lil Murray (left) and Madi Colville-Walker (right) were some of the people who took to the stage as part of the Gannawarra's National Reconciliation Week celebrations.
Kerang’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations were funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as part of the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Program.
“Council and our partners acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land within the Gannawarra Shire, the Barapa Barapa, Wamba Wamba, and Yorta Yorta peoples, and thank the wider community for joining us in walking and celebrating First Nations history and culture together as part of this year’s Reconciliation Week celebrations,” Mr Rollinson said.
MAIN PHOTO: Around 350 people participated in the Gannawarra's National Reconciliation Week celebrations, held at Kerang on 28 May.