SPORT is playing a key role in reconciliation as all Australians are being urged to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
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Monday marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week which commemorates the historic 1967 referendum and Mabo land rights decision in 1992, while pushing towards reconciliation across cultures.
The week will be marked locally with a range of events around the community, but the PCYC has drawn attention to efforts towards reconciliation through sport as the state’s traditional Aboriginal countries pull together teams for the Nations of Origin tournament.
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Gunnedah police officer Trevor Roberts will help mentor the Kamilaroi Goannas rugby league squads for the competition, which will be held in July in Raymond Terrace.
We want our young kids to see that they could be a police officer if they want.
- Senior Constable Trevor Roberts
Senior Constable Roberts has been involved with the annual sports program since it was initiated and he said it has “a really big positive change” on the kids.
“You see the difference in the kids,” he said.
“They go down, they play, come back, go back into schools and their mates ask the what about Nations was about and what it was like.
Senior Constable Roberts said sport played an important role in reconciliation.
“Personally, I think being the on sporting field, for me, everyone was equal,” he said.
“You’re there to have fun with your mates.”
The Gunnedah policeman said training the team for the Nations of Origin fit well with his role as youth case manager at PCYC.
“In my role as a Youth case manager, I engage with youth at risk on a daily basis to hopefully reduce any involvement with the criminal justice system.
“I also assist with re-engaging young people back into education and healthy lifestyles. Nations of Origin assists in this process.
“We want our young kids to see that they could be a police officer if they want and be in those positive roles in the community, whether it’s policing, or as a teacher, a nurse or an ambulance driver.
“I was exactly the same as most of the kids I work with.
“So I want to show them they can do anything they put their mind to.”
PCYC NSW boss Dominic Teakle said Nations of Origin was now the largest Aboriginal youth sporting event in NSW.
“It is a great example of how PCYC is empowering our young people through education, sport and reconciliation,” he said.
An initiative of PCYC NSW, each team includes indigenous and non-indigenous players to promote reconciliation within communities and engage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members in PCYC through sports, including rugby league, netball, soccer, basketball and, for the first time, boxing.
This region’s reconciliation week events will kick-off with a morning of activities at the Coledale community centre on Monday, starting at 10am.
Meanwhile, Tamworth Regional Council and the local Aboriginal land council will host “Christine Anu: In Conversation and Song” at the regional art gallery on Saturday, June 2, from 2pm.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week in 2018 is: “Don’t Keep History A Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow”.