Melbourne Softball Association acknowledges
National Sorry Day (26 May) and
National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June)
Melbourne Softball Association acknowledges the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nations as the traditional owners of the land on which we are gathered. Melbourne Softball Association respectfully recognises Elders both past and present. It also pays respect to people of other communities and their Elders.
NATIONAL SORRY DAY acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. National Sorry Day provides an opportunity nationwide for all Australians to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK aims to bring together all Australians to recognise and share what we have in common, and to work on a greater understanding of the issues that keep us apart.
The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
Extracted from the Reconciliation Australia website, the focus this year is ‘More Than A Word. Reconciliation Takes Action’, which urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
MOVING FROM AWARENESS TO ACTION
The Reconciliation movement is at a tipping point: In the past year, with Black Lives Matter protests and huge numbers at Invasion Day rallies across the country, we’re seeing people are understanding the truth and speaking up on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
More than a word. Reconciliation takes action asks people to take this awareness and knowledge, and use it as a springboard to more substantive, brave action. For reconciliation to be effective, it must involve truth-telling, and actively address issues of inequality, systemic racism and instances where the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are ignored, denied or reduced.
While we see greater support for reconciliation from the Australian people than ever before, we must be more determined than ever if we are to achieve the goals of the movement — a just, equitable, reconciled Australia. As history tells us, this will only happen through continued and concerted action from those who are already part of the reconciliation movement to those who are yet to join.
Moving towards a braver reconciliation requires a vision for what a just equitable and reconciled Australia looks like. Actions—guided by the five dimensions of reconciliation—are recommended in the 2021 State of Reconciliation Report.
GROWING SUPPORT
According to the 2020 Australian Reconciliation Barometer, there is far greater awareness of the complexity and magnitude of First Nations cultures and knowledge, and many more Australians now understand the brutal impact that British colonialism and the modern Australian state have had on First Nations families and communities. We are seeing more people speaking up, speaking the truth, asking the hard questions, seeing the hard facts, and informing themselves about issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2021 theme calls on others to follow their lead by reflecting on their own contributions and striving to do more. Register your #NRW2021 event here & see the poster and other digital assets on the posters and resources page #NRW2021 #MoreThanAWord
Flying the flags for National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week confirms Melbourne Softball Association’s respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
