IT’S just a short walk, but it’s big on meaning.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Tamworth Regional Council has joined with the Local Aboriginal Land Council to once again host “The LOng Walk” in acknowledgement of National Reconciliation Week.
It’s the second year of the walk, but the councils have committed to establish it as an annual event.
Organisers, though, have assured aspiring amblers the event is only long in name with a shorter route mapped out for the walk.
READ MORE:
Elder Aunty Yvonne Kent said the Tamworth reconciliation walk was all about showing unity and simply getting to know people in the community.
“It’s mainly around walking together,” she said.
“To have it as an annual thing, alongside reconciliation week is really good, because it’s walking two ways together.”
She called on more local schools to get involved and participate in the walk.
“It’s building that youth rapport through the walk throughout reconciliation,” she said.
The local elder said everyone was welcome to join the walk and there would be some fascinating stories to be shared.
“That’s what it’s all about, getting to know people, where they’re from and why they moved to Tamworth,” she said.
“There’s lots of stories on why they actually moved here from different areas, which is fascinating.
“For instance when they had the Olympic games in Sydney, a lot of residents there were moved out into the rural areas within NSW.
“I don’t know why, because that’s what makes up Sydney, it’s such a multicultural area and Tamworth is starting to get like that now, with a lot of the immigrants that are coming in.
“Having this reconciliation walk, that means not only the local people, but it’s also showing our immigrants we can walk and work together as one.”
Tamworth Regional Council cultural development officer Andrea Bruno said the walk represented “everybody marching together towards the same goals”.
The walk will kick-off at 11am at Ray Walsh House and trail around to the Peel River levee footpath and finish in the Fitzroy Street plaza.
The council have also organised a reconciliation event at the library on Saturday featuring singer-songwriter Christine Anu in conversation and song.
“She’s going to be talking about what it takes to be a First Nations musician in Australia,” Ms Bruno said.
“We thought that it was particularly important for reconciliation to hear to that story.”
Tickets are free, but spots are limited and attendees need to register ahead of time.