PYRENEES Shire chief Jim Nolan says everyone can play a role in reconciliation - and this starts with cultural awareness. A striking Ralph 'Bushka' Rogers Aboriginal art work, donated by the artist, will hang in the shire offices in Beaufort as a key step towards this.
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The painting helps celebrate Reconciliation Australia endorsing the shire's reconciliation action plan to build awareness in the community and to build relationships with traditional owners in the shire.
Pyrenees Shire boundaries are on Wadawaurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Djab Wurrung and Wodjobaluk land.
"We believe that due to our influence we have in our local area, we have a role in the country's reconciliation journey," Mr Nolan said.
The shire marked the plan approval and unveiling of Bushka's My Totem Brewarrina with a smoking ceremony by Beaufort Lake.
This came in the same week voting opened for the First Peoples' Assembly, which will help determine the framework for a treaty in Victoria. Voting remains open to indigenous peoples, aged 16-plus, across Victoria for the next four weeks.
Meanwhile, the Brewarrina (goanna) is one of Bushka's family totems. He has said he was on a journey to look for the rest of his family.
He said you learn about what your totem eats and drinks. While you could not eat your totem, you could give it to someone belonging to another totem in exchange to eat their totem.
Bushka's work also appears on the Koori Art Trail about Beaufort Lake.
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