Bob Slockee believes it is time Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians put the past behind them and start a harmonious relationship.
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Slockee is one of the leading voices of Australians Together, an organisation trying to ensure everybody lives harmoniously together.
He was in Dubbo on Tuesday as the guest speaker at a reconciliation luncheon at the Holy Trinity Church Hall.
He said the first contact between Aboriginals and Captain James Cook had been far from harmonious and that had set the tone for the next 200 years but he encouraged everyone to move on.
“Our organisation is primarily about breaking down barriers and helping relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and also building strength, identity and spirit in Aboriginal people,” he said.
“One of the aspects that I like to show that we have a rich history as Australians, not just Aboriginal people, we are here on this land together so we are one Australian mob.
“It is important that we recognise what has happened and make sure we do it right now.”
The luncheon was organised by the Reverend Gloria Shipp of the Walkabout Ministry and Canon Brett Watterson also presented a welcome to Holy Trinity.
“Gloria and her team have had a luncheon for a number of years now. This is my first one, having arrived from Parkes after Christmas and it is great to be a part of,” Canon Watterson said.
Earlier this year Canon Watterson took a group of children from Dubbo, Parkes and Narromine to a conference in Sydney where Mr Slockee was a presenter.
“What Bob was presenting I thought was a very helpful interpretation of how different Australians can join together as one people,” he said.
Mr Slockee said he hoped his speech would be able to break down barriers, dispel stereotypes and help people to see what was going on in their heart.
He said one goal was to have more stories shared between the Wiradjuri people and non-Indigenous Australians.