Sadly, after consultation with our Elders, the decision has been made to cancel the 2020 Gathering due to the Corona virus pandemic.

However, we are pleased to advise we are preparing a ‘Virtual Annual Gathering’ so that those who attend each year, and those who may be interested to learn more about the Memorial, may experience our ‘Gathering’ on-line from home. This will be posted on our website www.myallcreek.org in the week leading up to the 10th June, the anniversary of the massacre in 1838.

Other ways you can participate in this reconciliation journey with us are by:

• Inviting students to submit a creative work for our Thoughts ‘n’ Dreams competition
• Taking a virtual sound-tour of the Memorial
• Watching a short-film, or two
• Joining or creating a Friends group

See below for more details.

Each year hundreds of people from across the country gather on the Sunday of the June long weekend to commemorate the unprovoked massacre of twenty-eight Wirrayaraay women, children and old men by a group of stockmen on Myall Creek Station in 1838.

The Myall Creek Memorial was erected in June 2000 by a group of Aboriginal and other people working together in an act of reconciliation. Since then, the National Heritage listed massacre site and Memorial has become an icon for healing and reconciliation across the nation.

Last year, the Friends of Myall Creek Memorial secured a NSW Government grant from its Regional Cultural Fund for more than $1 million to complete the next stage of its ambitious Myall Creek Cultural and Education Precinct at the memorial site. An update on the works is below.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM’s for the Friends of Myall Creek have always been held as part of our Annual Gathering. Until now, they have provided the perfect way for us to easily meet and consider the past year, our progress and work ahead.

Instead, we will now organise a virtual AGM, with phone and internet access for members. We will be in touch in a few months time with the details.

We will also be in touch with news about the ‘Virtual Annual Gathering’ and the completion and official opening of the new facilities.

Sincerely yours,
Keith Munro and Ivan Roberts
Co-Chairs, National Committee
Friends of Myall Creek

Truth Telling…
why is it important?

This year, to work in with the Covid19 restrictions, our annual Thoughts ‘n’ Dreams competition is going virtual, and accepting digital entries only.

The Friends of Myall Creek Committee invite all school children, from Kindergarten to Year 12, to participate in the 12th annual Thoughts ‘n’ Dreams student art, writing and song online competition.

Join hundreds of other school kids from across Australia to say NO to racism and YES to treating everyone with respect and understanding.

This year’s theme is “Truth Telling… why is it important?”

Be as creative as you would like. Write an essay, short story or a poem. Create a song, dance a performance or make an artwork, painting or sculpture. Any and all mediums are acceptable, though this year, we need you to make a virtual copy for us.

Your email needs to also include the following information:

1. Name of student
2. Age
3. Schooling year
4. School name
5. Telephone number

Deadline
The closing date for entries is 5pm, Monday 29 June 2020.
No late online entries will be accepted.
No physical entries will be accepted.

Judging
Judges will choose three finalists in each of the four categories.
These finalists will be notified by phone by Sunday 5 July 2020.
The judges’ decision will be final.
The winning entries will be posted on the Myall Creek website on Sunday 12 July 2020, at the conclusion of NAIDOC Week 2020.

More details
For more information please contact:
Jo Miller | 0414 418 600 | jo@hopwoodmiller.com
or go to www.myallcreek.org

UPDATE: Stage 2 Works

Construction of the second stage of the Myall Creek Memorial is progressing well, though Covid19 is having some impact.

The above aerial photo shows the cultural performance space emerging (top right). The next step is installation of the sandstone blocks to form the spiral-like amphitheatre.

Also visible in the photograph are the beginnings of the other building works: coach and car parking, shelters and amenity block.

The Friends of Myall Creek wish to express their sincere thanks to the many dozens of you who donated to fund creation of gardens and landscaping to showcase indigenous plants and their myriad uses and values. Thank you one and all for your generosity.

With the welcome return of rains, the first plantings will begin soon. So too, the installation of the water system, including tanks and pumping.

New interpretive signage is being finalised. These will be about the indigenous plants and their many cultural uses, plus expand further on the story of the Myall Creek Memorial.

The second stage of works for the Memorial are being funded through a grant from Create NSW and with in-kind support from our long-term partner, Gwydir Shire Council.

Take a virtual sound tour
of Myall Creek Memorial

A free Soundtrails App is available that brings the Myall Creek Memorial to life.

Download the app onto your smart phone or tablet, see yourself on a GPS map and explore the rich mix of memories, voices, myths and archival footage.

1. Download the app via https://www.soundtrails.com.au/about
2. Download the Myall Creek Soundtrail
3. Put on your headphones and take the virtual walking tour.

Friends of Myall Creek

The Friends of Myall Creek seek to raise awareness of the Myall Creek Massacre to assist in Australia’s journey of reconciliation. We firmly believe that a vital step in this journey is gaining a knowledge and understanding of the truth of our shared history.

The National Committee for the Friends of Myall Creek aims to:

1. Maintain and develop the Memorial, including the Annual Gathering
2. Memorialise and teach the truth of the shared history of Aboriginal and other Australians across the continent during the period of invasion-settlement with a view to contributing to a more just reconciliation between our peoples, and
3. Design, construct, operate, administer and maintain an iconic Educational and Cultural Centre.

Two additional Friends groups have formed to support the National Committee: Sydney and Armidale.

Myall Creek belongs to all of us. The Friends of Myall Creek help tell the story. We were not many, but we have found that the few of us working together can be amazingly effective.

Contact us if you are interested to join one of the Friends’ groups, or if you are interested to set up a new local group where you live.

National Committee ~
Ivan Roberts | 0422 648 191 | 02 9446 5715 | iroberts2505@yahoo.com.au
Sydney Friends ~
Graeme Cordiner | 02 9817 0288 | gscordiner@hotmail.com
Armidale Friends ~
Uncle Steve (Dugan) Widders | 0411 609 041 | dugan1955@bigpond.com