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National Reconciliation Week 2021

Reconciliation events at International Towers

Photo credit: Luke Currie-Richardson

At International Towers, we are holding a number of activities and events, providing a focal point for celebrations. Our program provides an opportunity to create significant acknowledgement of the Reconciliation of Indigenous culture through Barangaroo by showcasing Indigenous peoples, Indigenous employees and cultural performances. 

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The ceremony will include an official Welcome to Country, a smoking ceremony and performances. See below for the bios for those presenting. 

  • Bruce Shillingsworth
  • Selena Blakeney
  • Maliyan Childrens Group

Where: International Towers Tower Two and Tower Three South Lobbies, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney 

When: Thursday, May 27th from 8:00 am-8:45 am

The Australian Flags
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In acknowledgement of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, 3 Australian National Flags will be displayed in the lobbies of Tower Two and Tower Three.

Donating to the Kinchela Boys Home

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We will be making a donation to the Kinchela Boys Home.

You can make your own donation here. 

| Donate here |

School Reconciliation Challenge - Caring for Country - 2020 Finalists Exhibition

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We have partnered with Reconciliation NSW to present the 2020 finalist artworks on display in our foyers from Saturday 15th May. 

| Find out more |

National Reconciliation Week Screening Event
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Screening of “Bala”. This poetic short film is about a former Aboriginal Navy officer who reunites with family to grieve the death of his much-loved grandfather. The film highlights the struggles of balancing life walking in a cultural and modern world.

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from Luke Currie-Richardson, the subject of the film. 

Where: Companionway, between Level 30 and 31, International Tower Two, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney 

When: Thursday, 3rd June from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

| Find out more |

 

Biographies of those hosting the smoking ceremony

Bruce Shillingsworth

Bruce Shillingsworth is a Muruwari and Budjiti man, a talented artist and water for the rivers activist.

His country is the north-west NSW river lands that hug the Namoi, Barwon, Darling Rivers; Brewarrina, Bourke, Enngonia, Wilcannia and Walgett.

Bruce’s family are painters, dancers and rainmakers. Bruce is a cultural educator in Sydney and leads a cultural revival dance group in the north-west. Bruce Shillingsworth is a Muruwari and Budjiti man, a talented artist and water for the rivers activist.

His country is the north-west NSW river lands that hug the Namoi, Barwon, Darling Rivers; Brewarrina, Bourke, Enngonia, Wilcannia and Walgett.

Bruce’s family are painters, dancers and rainmakers. Bruce is a cultural educator in Sydney and leads a cultural revival dance group in the north-west.

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Maliyan Childrens Group

Maliyan Childrens group consists of children aged 6-14 who reside in the local Woolloomooloo community, the children meet with Aunty Selena weekly to engage in community and culture while gathering over a yarning circle and sharing a meal. Some of the children are new to dance while others have danced for years, yet they all carry their love for culture together. The children have been learning a range of traditional Wiradjuri dances which have been passed down through generations. These dances are only a few remaining traditional Wiradjuri dances post-settlement.

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Selena Blakeney

Aunty Selena is a Biripi woman from Taree who has spent over 25years of her life living on Gadigal country. Aunty Selena is well known to the Eastern Suburbs and Woolloomooloo community in addition to her extensive networks nationally, she’s recently had a giggle about a phone call from WA made to NSW to pay respect to her, her cultural authority and leadership in community. Aunty Selena has worked on numerous community projects over her years all of which engage the local children and youth, including the “Growing up in Woolloomooloo workshops” facilitating afterschool painting lessons along with the current Maliyan Childrens group who gather weekly every Friday afterschool for a yarn, snack and dance lesson. Aunty Selena has been involved in significant events such as the smoking ceremony of HMAS Kuttabul and an evening with Barrack Obama. Aunty Selena is a well respected elder who has dedicated much time to educating upcoming generations.

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