GOFRG members & friends at the grave of Willem Baa Ni Ip

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group members & friends met by the grave of Willem Baa Ni Ip (King Billy) at Western Cemetery in early December.

Ron Milligan talked movingly about what he has found out about the life and final years of Willem Baa Ni Ip (born 1836 – died 1885) and other Barrabool Tribe members, including the impact of settlement / squatters on their lives.

More information about Willem Baa Ni Ip will be available on a website which we plan to launch at Reconciliation Week in May 2012, with information and resources provided by Uncle David Tournier at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op plus GOFRG member Ron Milligan and other people.

Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group meetings 2012

All meetings in 2012 will be held at 7.30pm (except 27th May 2012). Watch this space for updates. 

• 21st Feb - Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op (meeting)
• 20th March - Geelong Trades Hall (movie)
• 17th April
• 15th May
• 27th May - Reconciliation in the Park event
• 19th June
• 17th July
• 21st August
• 18th September
• 16th October
• 20th November

ANTaR Victoria - Join our conversation towards a Referendum in 2012The Government has announced plans for a Referendum in 2013, to give our First Peoples recognition and equality in the Constitution.
ANTaR Victoria is launching a campaign to bring people together for a conversation to move Australia forward. If you want to get involved in this campaign, email us c/o our website: http://www.antarvictoria.org.au
You can also email Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group at geelongonefire@gmail.com to join local activities to support this plan.

Reconciliation Victoria - link to their latest newsletter here

RecVic's latest newsletter is downloadable from their website at www.reconciliationvic.org.au. It includes a great roundup on what Geelong OneFire are doing at present. 

The Long Walk Women’s Luncheon 2011

Event: 14 October,

Where: Peninsula, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands

All invited to join Michael Long in celebrating Indigenous women’s achievements over lunch, with great entertainment and conversation at the sixth annual Women’s Luncheon. Cost involved.

• Details: visit www.thelongwalk.com.au

Join us for Babakiueria - Geelong Trades Hall

An Invitation to the next Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group event

• 7.30pm on Tuesday 15th November at Geelong Trades Hall (downstairs, accessible room)
• Snacks and a movie - gold coin donation.

"Babakiueria (pronounced Barbecue area!)is a short and effective drama that features the role reversal in which Aboriginal Australians change places with the historically dominant white Australians."

GOFRG will also be holding our AGM for 30 minutes before the movie. 

Everyone is welcome, if you'd like to join us.

• For further information / updates, visit the GOFRG website at www.geelongonefire.org.au or blog at http://geelongonefire.blogspot.com/ 

Less than a week to go

Here's the lastest news from YouMeUnity... remember to let your friends and colleagues know.... Hi Friends,  We're in the final week – have you had your say? Our countdown is coming to an end and there is now only one week to go to have your say on the Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  Submissions close at 5PM on September 30th 2011. So far we’ve had a great response with submissions totalling more than 2,500 and fans on Facebook getting close to the 6,000 mark. We’d like to give ALL Australians the chance to voice their opinions, so if you’ve already made a submission please continue sharing the message with your friends via Facebook, Twitter and email. This is an opportunity for ALL Australians to have their say on Constitutional recognition, so let’s make the most of it. Regards You Me Unity