The Myall Creek Centre for Reconciliation will be an iconic education and cultural centre situated at Myall Creek. The Centre will provide a comprehensive range of programs spanning reconciliation, healing, health, education and culture. It is likely to be the first facility of its kind anywhere in the world.
Myall Creek was the site of a horrific massacre of Aboriginal people in 1838. Sadly, such massacres were commonplace throughout Australia and more widely through the conflict of colonisation. However what happened next was unique.
Immediately following the massacre, an internationally significant series of trials took place. These trials led to most of the perpetrators guilty of murder, for the first and last time in Australian history, which in turn led to far-reaching changes to the colonial legal system of the day. Myall Creek became a profound symbol for justice.
Today, Myall Creek represents one of the most powerful and practical examples of reconciliation. The living descendants of that massacre ~ both perpetrators and victims ~ come together in peace every year to place themselves at the heart of the Annual Myall Creek Massacre Ceremony, and so too the need for reconciliation nationally and beyond.
“All Australians need to be educated about the real history of Australia.
“Myall Creek is a significant site in Australia’s history that all Australians should know about to acknowledge our shared history and learn from it to walk together into a brighter future for all Australians.”
~ Respondent to Business Planning Survey
Creating a National Support Base
A ground swell of support from right across Australia is key to the success of this initiative.
It will take many people, families, clans, cultures, organisations, nations and more to make the Myall Creek Centre for Reconciliation a reality. Myall Creek is likely to be the first of its kind ~ not only in Australia but in the world. Despite the systemic nature of colonial conflict, violence and dispossession of first peoples, there is as yet no facility commemorating this history and providing year-round reconciliation and education programs. Yet programs similar to these do exist to respect, remember and learn from war (memorials), apartheid (museums), holocaust (centres) and genocide (universities). It seems that building the bridge to close the gap between black and white people is as new for Australians as it is for the rest of the world.
Starfish’s Role
Starfish researched and prepared the Business Feasibility Plan (1.71Mb) for the establishment of the Myall Creek Centre for Reconciliation, is coordinating the Register of Support and has assisted with identifying funding opportunities.
More recently, Starfish co-funded the Myall Creek Soundtrails App. It was the culmination of of a two year project we have been working on with a number of community groups. It is the first app of the Soundtrails program and is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
Starfish is also assisting with fundraising for the 180th Anniversary & Annual Memorial in 2018. We’d welcome your support. Click here to make a tax deductible donation.
Find Out More & Get Involved
Official Myall Creek Website
Make a tax deductible donation to support the 180th Anniversary & Annual Memorial
Subscribe to the Myall Creek newsletter
Sign the Register of Support
Download the Myall Creek Soundtrail
