Why did you Walk for Reconciliation in the year 2000?
I have no photos of 20 years ago. I was a volunteer standing at north Sydney Station, guiding people where to go, from the beginning of the day until the last people were coming off to walk on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and then I walked. So many people talked to me , they wanted to say sorry , they to do more to stop the pain of Aboriginal people. I was one of the last to walk. I was 43. My husband walked with our 5 children as part of the crowd.
I wanted to help change the story that was being told of this country. I wanted to help break the imposed silencing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples and show respect and honour to them.
What has changed in the last 20 years and what are you presently doing for Reconciliation?
We have had an apology from government, but interference and disempowerment continues. Many languages have been resurrected and with them culture and confidence. I am mainly working for the respectful acceptance of the Statement from the Heart especially the truth telling. I am working on being a better soulful listener and promoting the wisdoms that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples have.
What is your vision of Reconciliation for the next 20 years?
For us as a collective people to accept that God has a bigger plan and from the beginning of humanity commissioned people in different places according to the natural environment to relate, contribute and take care of different parts of God's creative providential efforts. Just as the liver and heart look different and perform different functions but they originated from the one cell and complement each other for the sake of the whole health of the body, we have different ways that complement each other and we need them to harmonise. Only through caring for the land, each other and God together will we all be OK.