CHILDREN have learned all about Indigenous Australians during a cultural morning for National Reconciliation Week in Creswick.
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The theme for this year's National Reconciliation Week - which runs from May 27 to June 3 - is Grounded In Truth - Walk Together With Courage.
National Reconciliation Week encourages the formation of relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with this year's theme highlighting that in order to foster positive race relations, these relationships must be grounded in a foundation of truth.
About 160 people, including 130 children from primary schools, kindergartens and playgroups gathered at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre for the collaborative event organised by Hepburn Health Service to teach the community about Dja Dja Wurrung culture.
The day began with a Welcome To Country and Smoking Ceremony with Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Aunty Marilyne before children participated in a range of different activities from a cultural story time and craft activities such as making nature bracelets, mat weaving and decorating paper feathers for a Bunjil mural to be installed at the Creswick Community Health Centre.
The Department of Education's Koorie engagement team brought along some cultural toys for younger participants, including Indigenous dolls, puppets and puzzles.
Hepburn Health Service's Chrissy Austin said it was important to bring cultures together by recognising National Reconciliation Week and sharing Indigenous culture with children.
She said the health service was hoping to engage more Indigenous families and hoped the event would show it was inclusive by highlighting an appreciation for and recognition of Indigenous culture.
"We want to engage with Indigenous families, especially in maternal and child health and we thought doing a fun children's event was one way of doing that," she said.
"By making them feel more included and welcome we hope to show that we value their contribution and that we are here to help and care for all of the community, including Aboriginal families."