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For the past decade various events have been held in the Toowoomba Diocese during National Reconciliation Week. This year, on the 3rd June (Mabo Day) the Commission organised a Reconciliation Week Lunch at Toowoomba City Hall. The theme was 'See the person - not the stereotype". Darlene Garvey from St Vincent's hospital acknowledged traditional owners and shared some of her Torres Strait Islander heritage as the significance of the Mabo High Court decision was emphasised.
Deputy Mayor Councilor Paul Antonio welcomed people on behalf of the Toowoomba Regional Council. He encouraged everybody to see past the stereotype and always ask how we would like to be treated by others. Two local musicans, Robert Wharton and Josh Arnold then entertained those gathered. Josh is a well known local music artist who has recently been collaborating on projects with Aboriginal musicians. Robert is an emerging artist from the Oakey area. Both men sang a song titled "Spirit" which they had worked on together as part of a mental health for men project.
Belinda Sanders (local ABC Radio) then chaired a panel discussing stereotypes and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The panel members were Councillor Bill Cahill (Toowoomba Regional Council), Anthony Doidge (Deputy Principal, Drayton North State School) and Darlene Garvey (Manager of Mission and Culture Integration for St Vincent's Hospital, Toowoomba). The message was clear - get to know people, experience life to the full and 'don't judge a book by it's cover'.
Brad Saunders from the Department of Communities offered a vote fo thanks and then people had the opportunity to sample the amazing tastes offered by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE Bush Tukka course.
Around sixty five people attended including a small group of students from St Saviours College. It was a great way of making time to hear some local people's stories and deepening our understanding of each other.
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Josh Arnold
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Go to www.reconciliation.org.au
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