Oz Day

This week Australia Day was celebrated on Elcho Island in a unique way. The Yolgnu (the local Aboriginal people) decided they would like to re-enact the landing of Cpt Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove in 1788 (please forgive any historical inaccuracies of mine) on Galiwin'ku's main beach. The idea was to show that while Yolgnu and Balanda (the term sued to describe non-Aboriginal people) have not always got along, we have forged a partnership that has a future.

The re-enactment (which involved a group of Balanda in 18th century costume arriving on the beach in a small boat and being met by local tribesmen in traditional dress) was followed by a reconciliation ceremony, a parade with lots of flags up the main street to the church lawn, speeches, a BBQ lunch and then bands and dancing on the netball courts.

I heard that the re-enactment here caused a bit of controversy in the media down south but I'm not sure if this is true. I heard that Indingeous leaders from New South Wales and Victoria, who tend to see Oz Day as 'Invasion' or 'Survival' Day, thought re-enacting the Sydney Cove landing was poor taste. Having participated at this end, I'd have to disagree.

It was a hot, colourful, high energy day and the mood was optimistic. Yolgnu and Balanda walked together. There was a sense of two cultures coming together. I'll let the pics tell the rest of the story.