2017-10-31
On 23 October I was very pleased to attend the 20th anniversary of the Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation (PPCR) — 'celebrating 20 deadly years'. PPCR was formed at a public meeting at St Kilda town hall in 1997 which was convened by Jacki Willox and attended by hundreds of people, including politicians, councillors, Indigenous musicians and members of the public, including me. For 20 years PPCR has been very visible and active, promoting reconciliation and awareness and understanding of the history of Aboriginal people, particularly in the local area. It works closely with the Boon Wurrung Foundation, which represents the interests of the descendants of the Boon Wurrung language group, which includes the Yalukit-willam people, the traditional owners of the Port Phillip area.
The celebrations began with a welcome to country by Arweet Carolyn Briggs. The MC for the evening was Leila Gurruwiwi, and proceedings were opened by PPCR co-chair Rosemary Rule. Other speakers included Cr Bernadene Voss, mayor of the City of Port Phillip; Martin Foley, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing; and Richard Frankland, associate dean of diversity and inclusion at the Victorian College of the Arts, whose message was hope for the future. PPCR co-chair Dennis Fisher recited two of his poems, and there was wonderful singing from the Winja Ulupna women and the Galiamble men's group. I really enjoyed the slide show of people at the hundreds of events that PPCR have held over 20 years. Richard Frankland also sang a couple of songs at the end, accompanied by opera singer John Wayne Parsons. Also in attendance were councillors Tim Baxter and Dick Gross, and former councillors Caroline Hogg, Judith Klepner, Jane Touzeau and Serge Thomann.
I would like to congratulate the Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation for its 20 deadly years of work for and with the Aboriginal people of the Port Phillip area.