Let's be a Voice for Generations!

Dear Mornington Peninsula-based friends,

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. In 2023, Regeneration Projects is proud to be teaming up with Willie Pepper and David Tournier from the Boonwurrung Land & Sea Council, to create a culturally-safe space for listening and sharing between local First Nations voices and local business leaders on the Mornington Peninsula.

This initiative started in 2022 and reached a milestone moment when our alumni shared their social media platforms to spread Senior Cultural Heritage Advisor David Tournier's message for January 26 - Listen here. Together we reached over 20,000 people and presented a different perspective on the day.

Along this journey towards deeper cross-cultural connection and understanding, we have seen and demonstrated the benefits that elevating the voices of First Peoples creates for everyone. It's a healing process, it creates foundations for new partnerships and it opens up opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

So, Womindjeka / Welcome and come with purpose to this special event for Reconciliation Week 2023! (Friends and colleagues welcome)

Event overview - May 31

What: Smoking Ceremony, Short Farm walk & Listening Circle with afternoon tea
Why: By working together, First Nations and Local Business leaders can support reconciliation in communities in the land of the two Great Bays, including Mornington Peninsula and southeast Melbourne
When: Wednesday, May 31, 3:00-4:30pm
Where: 'The Dairy' 328 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge, Mornington Peninsula (Hosted by B4C alumni Uncommonfolk and Yolky Dokey)
Who: Local business, government, community and environmental leaders (inc. Young leaders)

Prices:

Micro Business (1-5 staff) - $40pp

Small (6-19 staff) - $45pp

Medium business (20-99 staff) - $50pp

Large business (100+ staff) - $60pp

Students, Young leaders and those needing a hand up: $20

(Tax invoice automatically shared after purchase)

(All proceeds will go towards supporting the Boonwurrung Land & Sea Council's cultural activities)

Contact:

Nora Silva, Programs Coordinator - nora@regenprojects.earth

More background on National Reconciliation Week:

The dates for NRW are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June.

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

27 May 1967 On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.

3 June 1992 On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

More info

Shared value, common goals:

Business for Country is designed in a way that:

1. Supports First Nations community organisations to share their knowledge and expertise while managing capacity demands and resources.

2. Empowers Businesses to take proactive and meaningful steps towards reconciliation, and

3. Regenerates Country through practices that integrate community, culture, environment, economy and leadership.