Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
Venue: Oorala Aboriginal Centre
2025 marked the 25th anniversary of the annual memorial ceremony at Myall Creek in its current form. Once again, the Armidale branch of the Friends of the Myall Creek Memorial, UNE’s Oorala Aboriginal Centre, the UNE Law School, and the UNE Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Social Science & Education hosted a symposium in support of the annual memorial ceremony.
The symposium builds on a generation of memorial-making and included recollections of the healing of Myall Creek over 25 years. The discussion turned to the unfinished business of truth-telling in the present, as well as sights set on the future, with presentations on the role of Lore and law. The symposium concluded with a yarning session on how better to include Aboriginal perspectives in the governance of organisations that serve communities in everyday life, including health, environment, and disability services.
The Oorala Symposium was a precursor to the annual Memorial Day gathering at Myall Creek on Sunday, 8 June 2025. The Memorial commemorates the 28 Wirrayaraay people who were killed in an infamous massacre of 1838, at Myall Creek Station, near Bingara in northwest NSW. The event and its aftermath were pivotal in colonial NSW history and remain a touchstone for truth-telling in history.
The Youth Koori Court of NSW
Thomas Mayo - What role next?
The Syposium Program included:
Remembering 25 years of Myall Creek Memorials: Transforming, Reclaiming and Decolonising the Memorial site.
Presenters: Auntie Sue Blacklock, Paulette Hayes, Dr Marcelle Burns & Janelle Speed
Moderator: Dr Julie Collins
What role next for law and legal processes in advancing truth-telling and reconciliation?
Presenters: Judge Peter Johnstone, Rebecca Moore & Thomas Mayo
Moderator: Dr Andrew Lawson
Yarning about Truth-telling – What role for First Nations Scholars?
Presenters: Prof. Stuart Barlo, Dr Cynthia Briggs & Dr Callum Clayton-Dixon
Raising First Peoples' voices in the decisions which affect them in their everyday lives.
Presenters: Thomas Mayo, Uncle Steve Dugan Widders & Warlpa Kutjika Thompson & Janelle Speed
Moderator: Adam Blakester
