The commemoration of one of Australia’s darkest moments in history has now become an annual beacon of hope. People from around the country will once again gather on June 11 to remember the atrocities committed at Myall Creek in 1838.
“Dhiirranhi ngiyani ganunga” – We remember them.
The official event press release describes the weekend as follows:
“Each year hundreds of people from across the country gather on the Sunday of the June long weekend to commemorate the unprovoked massacre of at least twenty-eight Wirrayaraay women, children and old men by a group of stockmen on Myall Creek Station in 1838.”
The event is commemorated on the June long weekend each year, with an official memorial to be held at the Myall Creek Hall on Sunday the 11th of June from 9 am.
After sharing morning tea, attendees will be invited to walk to the memorial site for the ceremony.
Organisers, Friends of Myall Creek Memorial, extend a warm welcome to all members of the community to join them in the commemoration.
The memorial site, which features on the National and State Heritage Register, is a place of great significance and beauty. The memorial itself was placed on the site in June 2000.
“It was erected by a group of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together in an act of reconciliation”, says the Friends of Myall Creek.
After the ceremony guests are invited to then return to the hall once more, where lunch will be available for purchase.
The memorial is this year also flanked by satellite events, all of which are focused on remembrance and reconciliation.
On Friday the 9th of June Richard Trudgen will speak alongside Professor Joe Fraser, Dr Brooke Kennedy, Janelle Speed and Adam Blakester. Held at the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at UNE the session is titled “Yarning about Truth-Telling”.
Mr Trudgen has dedicated his life to community education, development and language retention and has been recognised for his pivotal role in bridging the gap between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Cultures.
The session will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm and RSVPs are required to be addressed to tcullen6@une.edu.au
A dedicated Myall Creek Art Exhibition will also open at the Ceramic Break Sculpture Park in Warialda. The grand opening of this event will take place on Saturday the 10th of June from 11 am – 5 pm.
Entry is via gold coin donation and a light lunch and refreshments will be provided, with speeches from the artists and Richard Trudgen scheduled from 1 pm.
Finally, in the spirit of community engagement, there will also be a community concert held from 3 pm at the Roxy Theatre in Bingara.
Myall Creek Rocks the Roxy will feature well-known Aboriginal performer Uncle Roger Knox aka the “Koori King of Country”. He will be joined by the Ngambaa Dhalaay Dancers, Gomeroi Dancers and the Tingha Nucoorilma Dancers as well as Stiff Gins, Kyla-Belle, Murrigeejar Mob and Junk Sculpture Junior.
Bookings are once again required for this event, with tickets available via Try Booking.
Attendance at all of these events is open and encouraged to all, both local and nationwide. For more information or to keep an eye on plans for the weekend, please visit the Friends of Myall Creek Memorial Facebook page.
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