William Brown, Kialla
What a great place Australia is! I am responding about the Shepparton Reconciliation Group.
- January 20 – About past injustices
- January 26 – Australia’s Day of Mourning
- February 3 – Invasion Day
This group reminds us about the past invasion and its impact.
However, history shows that the first recorded European contact with Australia was when the Dutch ship Duyfken landed on the west coast of Cape York in 1606.
This marked the beginning of conflict, with the first recorded murder in Australia occurring within weeks — nine Duyfken sailors were killed by Aboriginal people near Cape Keerweer.
Australia is a lucky country, home to many nations living in peace, yet often forgetting the atrocities of the past.
It is unfortunate that the Shepparton Reconciliation Group seems unable to move forward — while the past is important, we must also live in the present.
The Yorta Yorta people are fortunate to be part of such a great country, but it is a pity they cannot find a way to have a happy day.