Reconciliation Week to be celebrated with culture, community and food
12 May 2022
An exclusive opportunity to experience traditional Kupmurri cooking and other cultural practices will feature in a free Community Open Day on Friday 27 May 2022.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said the event, in celebration of Reconciliation Week, was an opportunity for the whole community to experience recent upgrades and new cultural facilities at Hardings Paddock.
“This celebration for Reconciliation Week is themed as ‘culture, community, nature and food’,” Cr Milligan said.
“The day will feature a range of activities and interactive demonstrations with First Nations cultural practitioners and other Ipswich community organisations.
“One of the highlights will be a practical demonstration of Kupmurri cooking at the newly constructed permanent facility. It’s a rare opportunity to see, hear, smell and taste this traditional cooking method.”
The Hardings Paddock Kupmurri, as well as new trailhead and landscaping works, were jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments’ Local Economic Recovery Program through Category D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and Ipswich City Council’s Enviroplan program.
Deputy Mayor, Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said having a permanent Kupmurri at Hardings Paddock supported the continuation of cultural practices and knowledge sharing by Traditional Owner families.
“It also has great potential for cultural education for the wider community, to foster understanding and appreciation of Traditional Owner practices and customs,” Cr Madsen said.
Division 1 Councillor Sheila Ireland said Hardings Paddock was within the Enviroplan-funded Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate.
“It is an area of significance for Traditional Owners. Cultural records on physical artefacts and sites of spiritual significance are documented for this area,” Cr Ireland said.
“Hardings Paddock also includes cultural elements such as Bush Tucker Trail and Yarning Circles, making it an ideal setting for the permanent Kupmurri.”
The Community Open Day is 10am - 2pm on Friday 27 May 2022. It is free to attend, however registrations are required. Find the event on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/community-open-day-reconciliation-in-ipswich-tickets-272534807947?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
About Reconciliation Week
The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2022 is ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ It is a challenge to all Australians to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians.
Reconciliation Week is a time dedicated to building positive, respectful relationships between Australians and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Celebrating Reconciliation Grants Program.