Road to recovery

THE atmosphere at Shellharbour City Park on Sunday was one of hope, respect and appreciation for our Indigenous Aboriginal community.

A people who have fought since European occupation to be recognised in their own country.

It was time for politicians at both state and local level to take backstage and let the Aboriginal community, particularly their children, to demonstrate the need to reinforce respect for those who are the original dwellers of this beautiful country we call Australia.

It was about the future as OUR people.

Ambassador for the NSW Reconciliation Council, Colin Markham stated profoundly and poignantly that "our children are the future.'

"Reconciliation will take a long time, so we depend on our children to achieve social justice," he said.

"This is such a very important issue and needs the support of all ordinary Australian men and women."

Shellharbour mayor, David Hamilton reinforced this sentiment when he spoke of the 10th anniversary of Shellharbour City Council's statement of commitment to Aboriginal Australians.

"I wish all success in the efforts to achieve reconciliation," he said.

The occasion commemorated 40 years since the Aboriginal people of Australia were recognised as citizens of Australia and not part of the Australian fauna or flora, a fact that Jennie George MP passionately condemned in her speech to the huge crowd who had marched in solidarity from Council chambers to the park in a demonstration of their support of reconciliation.

Cr Barry Bird acted as MC and welcomed the gathering as representative of the Indigenous people of Shellharbour in Council.