The Community Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together (HART) Awards recognise local governments and community organisations that are advancing reconciliation in Victoria.
Together, Wathaurong Aboriginal Corporation and The Sovereign Hill Museums Association’s aim is to deepen Australians’ understanding of a shared history.
Local Elder, Bryon Powell is the project officer at Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation. In a recent interview he told NITV the collaboration with Sovereign Hill has been an important step for reconciliation.
“It brought home to us what this country meant. It reinforced our culture, keeps us Wathaurung people strong.”
The HART awards also recognised organisations that demonstrate Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people working together, and initiatives that have contributed to relationships, respect and understanding.
Despite only being running for four years, Uncle Bryon says it’s helping Aboriginal Australia make their mark.
“It’s a way of showing people we’re still here and we still have our history.”
“Indigenous people contributed greatly to the history of the goldfields, and we’re proud that the Gnarrwirring Ngitj Festival celebrates the richness and importance of Aboriginal culture.”
The Festival included a number of events to celebrate Aboriginal stories, traditions and history, as well as the important contribution that Aboriginal people made to the goldfields. A key highlight of the Festival was a Corroboree, held at Sovereign Hill, featuring Wadawurrung dance and song performed by firelight.
Sovereign Hill CEO Jeremy Johnson is proud of the win, which he says was a shared effort.
“Indigenous people contributed greatly to the history of the goldfields, and we’re proud that the Gnarrwirring Ngitj Festival celebrates the richness and importance of Aboriginal culture.”
The award ceremony was held on Friday at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Federation Square in wake of Reconciliation week. The Gnarrwirring Ngitj Festival won under the category of ‘Large Community Organisation/Group’.
Earlier this year, The Gnarrwirring Ngitj Festival was awarded first place for the Indigenous Projects award at the Museums and Galleries National Awards.
