Page 905 - Week 03 - Thursday, 30 March 2023
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Thursday, 30 March 2023
MADAM SPEAKER (Ms Burch) (10.00): Members:
Dhawura nguna, dhawura Ngunnawal.
Yanggu ngalawiri, dhunimanyin Ngunnawalwari dhawurawari.
Nginggada Dindi dhawura Ngunnaawalbun yindjumaralidjinyin.
The words I have just spoken are in the language of the traditional custodians and translate to:
This is Ngunnawal Country.
Today we are gathering on Ngunnawal country.
We always pay respect to Elders, female and male, and Ngunnawal country.
Members, I ask you to stand in silence and pray or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Aunty Agnes Shea OAM
Motion of condolence
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism) (10.01): I move:
That the ACT Legislative Assembly acknowledges the passing of Aunty Agnes Shea OAM. We celebrate her significant contributions to the Canberra community, particularly her commitment to reconciliation, recognition of the Ngunnawal people and improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aunty Agnes was not only an advocate for the community, but also a friend and a grandmother to all. We acknowledge and pay respect to Aunty Agnes’ legacy, to walk gently with integrity and dignity on her ancestral lands; and we pass on our deepest condolences to Aunty Agnes’ family.
Firstly, I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, the Ngunnawal people. On behalf of the ACT government, I express deepest condolences to the extended family of Aunty Agnes Shea. Today we fly the flags outside the Legislative Assembly at half-mast in recognition of Aunty Agnes’s life and her immense contribution to this land and people. We recognise Aunty Agnes as a senior Ngunnawal leader within the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and as a powerful force for reconciliation.
Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the non-Indigenous peoples of Australia for the benefit of all. Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much if not more effort. Aunty Agnes was an advocate and a champion of reconciliation. I know reconciliation is a commitment and passion of this parliament and, working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and community, we are collectively determined to make progress.
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