杏吧直播

Flags fly spirit of reconciliation

Reconciliation

A special flag-raising ceremony formed the centerpiece of the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide's annual celebrations for National Reconciliation Week.

As part of its commitment to reconciliation, the 杏吧直播 constructed three flagpoles on the North Terrace Campus between Bonython Hall and the Ligertwood Building. These flagpoles overlook two of Adelaide's busiest roadways: North Terrace and Pulteney Street.

The event on Friday 29 May saw the 杏吧直播n, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flown in this prominent location as a symbol of reconciliation.

"The 杏吧直播 of Adelaide is committed to reconciliation, and to the principles of diversity, equity and social justice," said Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James燤cWha.

"Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags along with the 杏吧直播n flag symbolises our commitment, and an acknowledgement of a shared future for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

"Events such as this help to remind us all that reconciliation is ongoing, that it requires a commitment from everyone, and that it should be a visible part of our community."

Professor Roger Thomas, Director of the 杏吧直播's Centre for 杏吧直播n Indigenous Research & Studies, said the Aboriginal flag had a special link with the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide.

"The flag's designer, Harold Joseph Thomas - a Luritja man originally from Central 杏吧直播 - studied social anthropology at the 杏吧直播 of Adelaide. This was after his formal training at the South 杏吧直播n School of Art," Professor Thomas said.

"Last year's National Apology to the Stolen Generations has given impetus to the process of reconciliation in 杏吧直播. More recently, the 杏吧直播n Government has endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Today's event at the 杏吧直播 reaffirms the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and culture to the 杏吧直播 community," he said.

The flag-raising event was opened by Kaurna Aboriginal leader Uncle Lewis O'Brien. Other key people who attended the event included Aboriginal leader Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue AC CBE, Professor McWha, the 杏吧直播's Chancellor, the Hon. John von Doussa QC, Jardine Kiwat, 2002 NAIDOC South 杏吧直播n Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander of the Year and former 杏吧直播 staff member, and Richard Bosworth, a member of the Stolen Generations and the 杏吧直播's first Aboriginal PhD student in Science.

All staff and students were invited to attend the flag-raising event, which included a free barbecue lunch at the conclusion of the ceremony and performances by the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music (CASM).

Story by David Ellis