The annual Reconciliation Day to be held at Victoria Park Echuca next Wednesday 18th September will see the unfurling of a special ‘Reconciliation Flag’ designed by Georgia O’Callaghan and Hannah Ayres from Echuca East Primary School.
Event Coordinator, Paul Clarke (KESO Echuca) put the challenge to all attending Primary School students to come up with a specially designed flag that could become a symbol of what the day is trying to achieve. "We thought it would be great to have a permanent reminder to all of the participants of why Reconciliation is such an important concept for our young people to understand."
"We received over 400 entries and the winning design has been produced and will be flown over the venue on Wednesday. Multiple flags have been produced and will be presented to each of the 10 Primary School in attendance."
"Approximately 760 Grade 5 and 6 students from Echuca, Moama and Kyabram are expected to converge on Victoria Park to participate in Football and Netball clinics and games on the day."
"We are also really delighted to have some current and former AFL players assisting on the day, including Lindsay Thomas, Shaun Atley, Taylor Hine, Chris Johnson and Xavier Clark. Their participation, along with that of Cassandra Hadson and Amy Steel from the Melbourne Vixens, really adds to the experience for the children."
"Students not involved in playing in the main football and netball games will rotate through a series of workshops including a reptile show, indigenous cultural experience and a local ventriloquist."
Worksafe AFL Victoria Country’s Trevor Mellington has been assisting Mr Clarke with the organisation of the event which is proudly sponsored by AFL Victoria, Reconciliation Victoria, Njernda Aboriginal Corporation and the Campaspe Shire.
"I am delighted to be able to provide our resources to support an event which utilises football and netball as the vehicle to facilitate social change and understanding." Mellington said.
"SEDA students from Bendigo and Shepparton along with local Secondary School students will assist with the delivery of clinics and umpiring of matches. Their participation provides fantastic practical management experience as well as training in the important messages of the day."
"At the end of the day, if we can expose our young people to experiences that encourages them to talk and live and the philosophies of Reconciliation, then the day has been a success".
The Reconciliation Day will commence with football and netball clinics at 10:45 and will be followed by a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, flag raising and national anthem. The main games will commence at 12:15.
Last Modified on 16/12/2014 10:21