Reconciliation Banyule acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional owners of this land and we pay respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

About Reconciliation Banyule

Reconciliation Banyule is the local body promoting reconciliation across Banyule and surrounds. We promote deeper understanding, respect and justice for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

History of Reconciliation Banyule

Reconciliation Banyule (RB) was founded in 2001 in response to school student Jane Torney's advertisement in "The Leader" to establish a local reconciliation group. Peter and Aaltje Harvey and Wally and Margaret Johnson responded. Other church folk were early responders included Joan Pearson (became Secretary), Betty Drummond, Lorna Archer and Sue Harris. Reconciliation Banyule Inc was incorporated in August 2006 using the Model Rules for Incorporated Associations.

The group's early efforts included showing films, running information stalls at the Arty Farty and Malahang Festivals and twice running a four week education programme "Wreck or Reconcile" at the Livingstone Centre in 2003 supported by a Banyule Council Grant.

The film programme became a monthly event (Feb-Nov) between 2004-2018 at Ivanhoe Uniting Church (UC). Attractive advertising of the year's programme was devised by Peter Harvey and distributed to the churches, schools, libraries, neighbourhood centres, council offices and individuals. It was advertised in the monthly events calendar of "The Banyule Banner". A grant from the Banyule Council for the purchase of a projector was obtained in 2005. Peter became the regular projectionist and Ralph Brown the relief projectionist. Film nights included coffee/tea and Lorna's delicious slices. Film topics covered: Stolen Children's stories, connection to country stories, historical events and films by Aboriginal directors and others. Films were borrowed from Narana (UC Congress in Geelong), the National Film and Sound Archives, hired from the local video shop, and occasionally bought. Films were sometimes followed by discussion or supplemented by speakers who had first-hand experience of the topic.

Reconciliation Banyule’s members have often been members of both Reconciliation Victoria and ANTAR and keen readers of their newsletters, and attenders of forums, weekends and events. Reconciliation Banyule sponsored events: Winter in Banyule; 2007 The Gulpilil Film Festival; 2009 Larry Walsh Aboriginal Story Teller; and 2010 Music Workshop with Herb Patten.

Over a few years, kits with toiletries and night attire were given to support Aboriginal patients in Austin Mercy Hospital. This was coordinated by Sue Shore.

We have a close relationship with Council through Zali Mifsud, The First Nations Lead, also the Director Kath Brackett, and particularly Councillors Castaldo, Melican, Neally and McKern. We make a point of keeping in frequent communication with each of the Councillors and have a history of strong lobbying/supporting Council. Currently free use of venues. Banyule Council is the first council to commit to the Maggolee process of engagement and partnership between local government and Aboriginal communities.

Each Reconciliation Week (May 26-June 3) involved increasingly working with Banyule Council and led to the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan and the appointment of Aboriginal Liaison Officers. Materials were developed for displays at the Ivanhoe Library and later the Watsonia Library. These drew on attractively presented resources produced by Peter H. Members regularly attended the annual raising of the Aboriginal flag at Ivanhoe Town Hall. Members also attended Council Meetings to support staff and attended Meet the Candidates meetings in order to ask questions re their support for reconciliation. In recent years a book discussion group has been established.

After the failure of the Voice Referendum there was added interest in Aboriginal reconciliation and this led added interest in the AGM in Nov 2023 and the election of a rejuvenated committee with a lot more energy and focus. Links were developed with Barrbunin Beek and key leaders Uncle Charles and Uncle Owen. There was a very moving sunrise acknowledgement service for Survival/Invasion Day June 2024, hosted jointly with Monty First Nations Allies. Representatives from Reconciliation Banyule have been members of the Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee (BATSIAC) which became Council’s RAP Advisory Committee after they got a Reconciliation Action Plan. Now replaced by the Maggolee commitment between Aboriginal communities and Council.

We have an informal partnership with Banyule Community Health, and with the YPRL Libraries, concentrating on those in Banyule. RB had always worked with the libraries for Rec Week displays and promotions, but were struggling with bringing the libraries on board from the aspect of education and information for the community. There had been pushback. Now of course the libraries are the strongest of advocates and First Nations and Reconciliation, are prominent and very observable in their work and throughout their staff. In 2022 RB donated its library of Books and CDs to YPRL and they are held in the YPRL Archives.