Benalla Rural City Council was proud to celebrate National Reconciliation Week with a series of community events and activities from 27 May to 3 June 2025.
An annual celebration, National Reconciliation Week 2025 aims to foster dialogue, strengthen bonds and encourage the community to embrace the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples while working towards a shared future. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme was Bridging Now to Next.
Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn thanked the community for taking part in National Reconciliation Week celebrations.
“This year, National Reconciliation Week was particularly significant for Council as we launched on our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan,” Cr Hearn said.
“Council and our partners acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land within the Benalla Rural City, the Yorta Yorta, Taungurung and Bpangerang peoples, and thank the community for joining us in celebrating First Nations history and culture together as part of this year’s National Reconciliation Week celebrations,” Cr Hearn said.
Waminda Community House held a National Reconciliation Week Long Lunch on Monday 2 June, supported by the Tomorrow Today Foundation and Benalla Rural City Council.
Then on Tuesday 3 June more than 30 community members attended the official launch of Benalla Rural City Council’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan at Benalla Library.
Benalla Rural City Council also held a community flag bunting workshop and panel discussion at Benalla Visitor Information Centre as part of the celebrations. Community members heard from proud Yorta Yorta man and Member for the North East region in the First People’s Assembly of Victoria, Levi Power during the powerful panel discussion held as part of Benalla Library’s Library Talk series.
Benalla Rural City Council’s National Reconciliation Week 2025 celebrations were delivered in partnership with the Benalla Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group, the Tomorrow Today Foundation and Waminda Community House.