Have you admired the incredible branding artwork for Imagine Rotary” 2022-23? This week Rotary New Farm members (President Elect 2023-24) Monica, (President 2022-23) Sue, Lucia (Treasurer), Denis and Denise (Secretary Elect 2023-24) were rugged up and braving the Melbourne Autumn at the Rotary International Convention. Upon researching the conference details I reconnected to the amazing graphic designs that caught my eye a few weeks back.
Image below: President Sue pictured with the designs around the Rotary Melbourne 2023 ‘House of Friendship’ ‘hours of operation’.
The incredible logo was designed by Riki Salam, a Queensland based artist and graphic designer specialising in contemporary Indigenous art, design, and communications. Riki was born and raised in Cairns on Yidinji Land connected to the Torres Strait and Yalanji Country on his father’s side and Ngai Tahu, South Island of New Zealand on his mother’s side. He explains he enjoys exploring concepts of traditional culture in a contemporary format. Riki currently lives on Turrbul & Yaggera Country in Meanjin, Brisbane.
After consultation with Riki Salam, District Governor Gundula Miethke, Specialist Regional Content and Communication explained that the circle in Aboriginal culture, signifies connections to one another. The dots around it represent people and there are seven because of Rotary´s areas of focus. The circle and the dots together become a navigation star – a guiding light. The solid line underneath is what is referred to as a digging stick and it is used when doing hard work. And, since Rotary members are people of action – it represents a tool for getting things done! The colours green, purple, and white are not necessarily connected to Aboriginal culture. There are several ways to interpret the colours: purple for example stands for polio eradication, green for the environment, the newest addition to our areas of focus, and white for peace, our core mission. Together, they are the colours of the women’s movement, the Suffragette – a subtle nod to this history as Jennifer Jones pointed out, since she is the first female Rotary International President.
May commemorates special days for First Nations people and all Australians. The 25th annual Sorry Day was on May 26 and Reconciliation Week is May 27 – June 3, with June 3 being Mabo Day.
National Sorry Day has been held each year since 1998 and was born out of a key recommendation in ‘Bringing them Home: Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families’ which was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997. National Sorry Day commemorates and remembers all those who have been affected by government policies of forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that resulted in the Stolen Generations. As a non-First Nations or First Nations person you can support local solidarity groups, such as Benarrawa or Balaangala .
Image below: supplied by RNF Youth and Services Director Holstein Wong. Holstein joined 3rd Space during Reconciliation Week, to mark the agency holding its Annual End of Financial Year Fundraiser. 3rd Space states that the centre is the foundation of wellbeing, safety and sense of belonging. Shelter is a basic human right. Yet, over 116,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in Australia. 3rd Space helps over a hundred community members in Brisbane most days through the dignity of a hot shower, café style meals as well as access to medical, mental health, law, tenancy, employment, and other services. These services focus on breaking the cycle of homelessness.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is held annually. It is a time to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and all Australians. Each year has a different theme set by Reconciliation Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’.
Source: Reconciliation Australia 2023 poster
National Reconciliation Week – The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision (Mabo Day). 1967 Referendum – The 27 May marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history. The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.
Mabo Day – On 3 June the Mabo decision was named after Eddie (Koiki) Mabo, of Mer Island in the Torres Straits, who through a long, protracted legal battle challenged the Australian legal system and fought for recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of their land. The Mabo decision was a turning point for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights, because it acknowledged their unique connection with the land. It also led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993.
What does reconciliation mean? How can we deepen the concept of reconciliation and the importance of developing an understanding of a shared ‘true’ history and how it has shaped relationships?
How can we further include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives throughout Rotary New Farm? How can we work in realms of areas of service including: Peace and Conflict Prevention and Resolution Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water and Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education, Literacy, Economic and Community Development and Sustainability?
Image above: Rotary New Farm member Melinda Wallace joined the Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group’s 25th Sorry Day May 26 commemoration held at the ‘Journey Home’ plaque in the Sherwood Arboretum.
In the next few weeks we will share stories from the International Conference delegates around ‘most inspiring moments and key takeaways’. In the meantime on June 14 at our RNF meeting we have Guest Speaker Diane Oxenford RC Bribie Island to look forward listening to. All about Diane’s admirable conservation work can be found here. And, finally a reminder for ‘What’s coming up?’ ChangeOver is on 5th July at the Brunswick Hotel. Auction items are needed, please help our Club by donating suitable items like wine, chocolates, latest book or florist vouchers, or perhaps an item you’ve hand-made, like a painting, crochet or knitting. Book your tickets on Trybooking – click the live link. Click here. for Changeover ticket link purchases. We look forward to seeing you!
Our next meeting is June 14, 6.45 for 7 am, at the New Farm Neighbourhood Centre.
967 Brunswick St, New Farm Qld 4005
We also have social night coming up 7 June at the Himalayan Cafe!