National Reconciliation Week celebrations continue

Published on 10 June 2025

Families will be able to continue to experience Gannawarra’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations throughout June and July through the popular StoryWalk® initiative.

Visitors to Kerang’s Atkinson Park are currently able to walk around the site and experience Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson’s story Country, which featured during last month’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations at Kerang.

“The StoryWalk® initiative continues to grow in popularity since it was introduced to the Gannawarra,” Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Country highlights the importance of Country to First Nations culture, and its presence to our past, present and future.  Featuring the book as part of the StoryWalk® program means families will also be able to view Cheryl Davison’s wonderful illustrations that accompany this story.

“Seeing Aunty Lil Murray read Country during our National Reconciliation Week celebrations was a highlight of the morning’s program, and Council looks forward to sharing this beautiful story further with our community.”

The StoryWalk® will be available at Atkinson Park until Sunday, 28 June, before moving to Cohuna’s Garden Park from Tuesday, 1 July to Thursday, 24 July as part of NAIDOC Week activities.

Meanwhile, primary schools across the Gannawarra Shire took up the opportunity to participate in a Shared Story Time activity as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations. As part of this initiative, participating schools received a complimentary copy of Country to read to junior students or a classroom group.

“Council is pleased to see so many of our schools embrace the themes of National Reconciliation Week and highlighting the role we all play in fostering stronger relationships with First Nations peoples,” Mr Rollinson said.

“We loved the Country book. The artwork was amazing, and it lent into lots of discussions about belonging and caring for the land and nature,” staff and children at Leitchville Preschool said.