National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), is for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. It's a time to explore how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation.
National Reconciliation Week
Our vision for reconciliation is a unified, respectful and thriving community that embraces Australia's First Peoples for their experiences of the past, their resilience in the present and their aspirations for the future.
Each year we explore themes of reconciliation through a week of insightful free events. Our programs include Indigenous storytime, performances by local musicians, native flora and fauna tours, and movie nights.
To learn about upcoming events, subscribe to our e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
National Reconciliation Week Launch
Friday 27 May, 6pm to 8pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Immerse yourself in an evening of music and art to mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. Enjoy the soulful sounds of Noongar singer Bumpy, surrounded by artworks from The Torch Confined 13 exhibition. Join us from 6pm for a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country and Mayor’s address.
Free, bookings required.
Exhibition: Confined 13 presented by The Torch
Thursday 5 May to Sunday 5 June
Glen Eira City Council Gallery — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday to Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
Presented by The Torch, the Confined 13 exhibition includes artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria.
Featuring more than 380 artworks, Confined 13 presents a strong visual metaphor for the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.
Live painting in the Gallery by Torch artists
Saturday 28 May, 2pm to 4pm
Sunday 29 May, 2pm to 4pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Join us as a Torch artist sets up their studio in the Gallery. You’re welcome to watch the artist at work, have a yarn with them and enjoy the hundreds of artworks on display.
Free, bookings recommended.
Movie Night: In My Own Words
Saturday 28 May, 7pm
Glen Eira Town Hall Theatrette — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Raw, heartfelt, sometimes painstaking but often funny, In My Own Words follows the journey of adult Aboriginal students and their teachers as they discover the transformative power of reading and writing for the first time in their lives.
Rated M
Free, bookings required.
Flora and Fauna Guided Tour
Thursday 2 June, 11am and 12pm
Mallanbool Reserve — Leila Road, Murrumbeena
Kulin Nation artist and bushtukka woman Cassie Leatham will host this tour and share her extensive knowledge of traditional and medicinal uses of native flora and how to identify edible native plants.
Free, bookings required.
Movie Night: Bran Nue Dae
Thursday 2 June, 7pm
Glen Eira Town Hall Theatrette — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Ernie Dingo, Deborah Mailman, Hunter Page-Lochard and Jessica Mauboy star in this coming of age, comedy musical road movie. A rebellious boy runs away from a Catholic boarding school and tries to hitchhike to his Aboriginal home in Australia.
Rated PG-13
Free, bookings required.
The Torch Confined 13: Floor Talk with Kent Morris and Torch artist Chris Austin
Friday 3 June, 1pm
Glen Eira City Council Gallery — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
Join artist, curator, and CEO of The Torch Kent Morris, accompanied by Torch artist and Indigenous Program Mentor Chris Austin for an engaging discussion about the Confined 13 exhibition.
Free, bookings required.
David Arden
Friday 3 June, 6pm
Glen Eira Town Hall Theatrette — corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
David Arden is a Gunditjmara/Kokatha Storyteller & Songman, with more than 32 years on our stages. He has performed with the likes of Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Paul Kelly, and Kutcha Edwards. His poetic songs are inspired by his deep passion and connection to country, his family and upbringing.
Free, bookings required.
