Waverley Primary flags Aboriginal rights

Waverley schoolchildren will receive a reminder of the significance of the Indigenous community after the installation of an Aboriginal flagpole was approved for Reconciliation Week.

Waverley Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak asked Council to assist Waverley Primary School in setting up a second flagpole to fly the Aboriginal flag. The move received widespread support and unanimous approval.

Mr Wy Kanak, an Aborigine, said he secured Council’s unanimous approval to assist the school in obtaining a second flagpole. Mr Wy Kanak was nominated as the mayor’s representative for Reconciliation Week activities.

“As Mayor [Sally Betts’] nominee I have attended the Waverley Primary School general assembly to present Reconciliation Week prizes to students who have entered artwork in the Pauline McLeod Art Competition,” he said.

“These reconciliation awards are done in memory of the now deceased Aboriginal storyteller, Pauline McLeod, who was one of the first regular Aboriginal presenters on the ABC TV’s Play School program.”

Mr Wy Kanak said flying the Aboriginal flag would promote the school’s message to the whole Waverley community of a valued vision for unity and social justice.

Council organises the Indigenous art competition and taken active steps in promoting the recognition of Indigenous Australians.

“Waverley Council is a very active member of the Eastern Region Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Forum, of which Councillor Wy Kanak is chairperson,” said a Council spokesperson.

“Council also attends Aboriginal networks in the area and runs programs across the year, such as galleries and film screenings at the library and Bondi Pavilion.

“Council also employs a multicultural officer who works on an ongoing basis to strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal networks in our community, and is currently developing a long-term Reconciliation Action Plan.”

Labor Councillor Ingrid Strewe said Council still had greater scope to adopt policies advocating for Indigenous recognition and reconciliation.

“We have in the past discussed the establishment of an experiential centre of Aboriginal Presence in Waverley including sites, history, foods, pharmacology, culture and modern-day contribution where schools and Indigenous community come together to learn and experience,” she said.

The Eastern Region Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum will be holding the Pauline Mcleod Art Competition from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at Woollhara Council on Thursday, May 30. National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3 across the country.