Burning hope for Reconciliation relay’s future
A “Flame of Hope and Reconciliation” has been burning in the Orange Civic Square this past week and it’s hoped it will spark similar ceremonial events in neighbouring communities in the future.
Originally envisioned by local real estate agent, Chris Gryllis, Friday May 27 saw the ‘Flame of Hope and Reconcilitiation’ carried in an Olympic torch style relay from the Yarning Circle’ at the CSU’s Orange Campus to a specially designed cauldron at the Southcourt in the Orange Civic Square Precinct.
The event, held for Reconciliation Week, was about bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians together as a symbol of unity and reconciliation.
“I was absolutely excited, pleased, satisfied and relieved!” said Chris Gryllis, who has been working on getting the event off the ground for some years now.
“It all went down well, but more importantly it was received very well by the public, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike.
“The responses and the comments I received in person by text messages and in-person and email are very encouraging,” added Chris, who dreams that this idea might one day be taken up by communities all around Australia.
“It was as a trial run and an absolute team effort. We will have a debriefing at some stage and then it is up to someone — I don't know who that group will be, or that person, or the Council – to arrange it again next year.
“And I would like, if possible, to see the same event take place in Bathurst and Dubbo.”
Wiradjuri Elder Uncle Neil Ingram, who worked with Chris to plan the event, said it was good to see the community support for the relay and for reconciliation.
“It’s about coming together,” said Uncle Neil. “Reconciliation is not just about one week, but every week of the year… What we need to do is just acknowledge the past and make way for the future.
“We had a lot of support on the day and the plan is to try and take it to Bathurst and Dubbo, just as a starting point, and then hopefully it will go right throughout the Wiradjuri nation as a whole and could be a national event one day.”