>> Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group
The Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group is a loose network of people (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) in the Southern Highlands of NSW concerned about Aboriginal rights, social justice and reconciliation.
The Southern Highlands is "Gundungurra Land" - it includes Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, Robertson, Berrima, Hill Top, Colo Vale, Wingello and Penrose.
Although the area retains many "Gundungurra" names, until recently, very little acknowledgement was given to the Indigenous history of the area.
A convenient myth was that there had been no permanent Indigenous population in the area due to its cold winters, but that the area was visited during the summer months by neighbouring peoples from Tharawal, Pejar, and Wadi Wadi. Tourist brochures skim over the long Indigenous presence, and note early white explorers and pioneers who "settled" the area.
More research is needed to record the reasons why the Indigenous history has been so neglected, and why the Wingecarribee Shire has been able to retain the myth so long that there were few Indigenous residents in the Southern Highlands.
This myth, at least, has finally been put to rest, with the formation in October 2000 of the Wingecarribee Aboriginal Association.
A number of local people had been active around Aboriginal issues from the early 1980's, organising small rallies around deaths in custody, speaking up against derogatory racist stereotyping on a parade float, and organising hospitality for 1000 Aborigines who travelled through the Highlands for "the long march" in January 1988 to give a different slant to Australian Bi-centennial celebrations.
The Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group started formally in May 1997, when a group of people responded to the release of the Bringing Them Home report by collecting signatures of apology to Aborigines. This book of signatures became the first ever Sorry Book.
The group has a quarterly newsletter, and
invites people to add their name to a mailing list, so you are informed of
speakers locally, events planned, and debate on issues in the community.
The group meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday of the month at Mittagong Uniting
Church Hall Albert St Mittagong at 3pm.
For more information please contact:
Jodie Wiggins
eMail: mantra@hinet.net.au
Phone: 02 4843 5951
Address: 12 Kell Crescent Welby NSW 2575