Ms Moore said the State Government had offered to support the City initiative to provide a screen in Martin Place.
At
the same time Ms Moore said the historical significance of this event
needed to be permanently recognised, calling on the Federal Government
to consider a national public holiday – Reconciliation Day – to mark
the event.
“I applaud the Rudd Government for making this a
priority and support reconciliation between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous Australia, restating the need to recognise our shared
history while taking practical steps to redress past injustice and poor
quality health and education,” Ms Moore said.
“The City of Sydney
has a significant Indigenous population and our “Principles of
Cooperation” agreement with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land
Council recognises the community, spiritual and cultural ties to the
land and waterways.
“It commits us to working together to
foster reconciliation, promote Aboriginal culture and heritage and I
support moves by the Federal Government towards reconciliation.”
The
City of Sydney will also hold a community commemoration at our Redfern
Community Centre which will include community activities, Indigenous
film, music, dance and a smoking ceremony as well as speeches and a
live broadcast of the historic moment.
At Redfern there will be
activities throughout the day including a live broadcast, children’s
entertainment outside the Community Centre and a free BBQ.
In
addition to the City of Sydney’s ongoing support for the local
Indigenous community, the Lord Mayor’s Salary Trust has provided
$20,000 to help young Indigenous students study law, human rights,
child protection, criminology and juvenile justice, through the Robert
Riley Scholarship Program.