A call for help from Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation
Virginia Burns
Like many community groups, Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation (WFFR) have survived because of committed members who have served over several decades. We have now reached the time when WFFR cannot continue without an injection of new people.
We ask you to consider becoming a member of WFFR and take part in our work
If you are interested and would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Howard Tankey. Email: howardtankey@bigpond.com or ph: 9898 2514
To become a member we ask that you:
- take out a subscription ($20 or $10 concession)
- attend most meetings, currently monthly
- be ready to assist on WFFR stalls
We need people who can contribute to the management of the group
This covers a wide range of tasks including organising meetings; management of our financial and treasury obligations; promotional activities; and any other project considered useful in creating a stronger, more creative relationship between First Nations people and non-Aboriginal Australians.
The WFFR has a proud history of carrying out projects within Whitehorse over the last 25 years.
Among the many highlights over this time are
- a project in which Whitehorse students made pavers with Aboriginal motifs, under the guidance of Aboriginal artists, for the Nangnak garden;
- the Long Walk in Whitehorse;
- the production of the DVD ‘Nobody’s Child’ highlighting the experiences of 5 stolen generation First Nations people, who had spent time in Government institutions in Whitehorse;
- a tennis exhibition with young Aboriginal players mentored by Evonne Goolagong-Cawley, who attended;
- many student days, cultural days, picnics at Blackburn Lake, film night;
- a weekend forum on the topic ‘Whitehorse Deliberates on Indigenous Issues;
- the creation of the very unique ‘Reconciliation Message Stick’, an example of two cultures walking together; and
- a Forum at the Box Hill Town Hall in September 2024 discussing the premise, ‘The world is in trouble and let’s look at some ideas from Aboriginal culture to help put our heads in a better place for contemplating the future’.
And there were many smaller activities in between these, more major projects.
Find out how to become part of WFFR
If you are interested and would like to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact Howard Tankey. Email: howardtankey@bigpond.com or ph: 9898 2514. You can also check out our website here, or our Facebook page here
Virginia Burns is Convenor of WFFR