National recognition for 26 January Indigenous reflection

Published on 14 June 2023

Moyne Shire Council’s Indigenous Reflection event on January 26 has been recognised at the National Awards for Local Government.

Council’s Indigenous Reflection event on January 26 - Ngootyoong Laka, Ngootyoong Yana - walking and talking with respect – received an honorable mention in the Indigenous recognition category at the annual awards presented in Canberra on Tuesday. 

The reflection was planned with and led by Peek Whurrong Uncle Rob Lowe Senior and Gunditjmara-Kirrae Whurrong man Brett Clarke, with input from Moyne Shire’s Australia Day ambassador Shane Howard. A crowd of over 300 people gathered at the Indigenous Massacres Memorial at Port Fairy’s Railway Place for a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and storytelling.  

Mayor Cr Karen Foster said the response following the event was overwhelmingly positive.

“It allowed Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members to come together to talk, listen, learn and share stories, language and culture,” she said.

“The ceremony started meaningful conversations and actions highlighting unified pathways forward within our Shire.”

“We are very proud of this recognition and of the collaborative approach we took to acknowledging and sharing local Indigenous stories as part of events to mark January 26.”

The National Awards for Local Government highlight initiatives implemented by local governments that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence, and have outcomes that are replicable across the country.