Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Western Endeavour - Issue No.: 793 Issue Date: 11 Feb, 2018

Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of public debate and controversy over the date on which we should celebrate Australia Day. There are a significant number of original inhabitants of Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who see the current date of Australia Day as inappropriate to unite all Australians today; aborigines, Torres Strait Islanders and all other Australians.

There have been several articles written recently that cover the issue of the date of Australia Day and what it means to different groups of people. It is worth reading two articles on page 15 from the Weekend Australian of the 27-28 January:

• "Let us honour the before and after" by aboriginal elder Noel Pearson   
• "We need to embrace our two truths" by Editor at Large - Paul Kelly

Another article that is very appropriate was "Welcome words" by Nikki Gemmell in the Weekend Australian Magazine 20-21 January.

The Rotary Club of Western Endeavour recognises the traditional owners of the land where we live and meet for Rotary with the following Invocation read at the start of every meeting: 

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present members of the Whadjuk (“Wad-jak”), Noongar people, the traditional owners of the land on which we are privileged to meet. We recognise their strong connection to country and wish to prosper together in full knowledge and acceptance of our shared history.

As members and guests of the Rotary Club of Western Endeavour, we are also privileged to be with friends, sharing a meal and the common goals of community service, mutual support and self-improvement. We are committed to the ideals of Rotary International and strive to contribute at a local, national and international level.

Our Rotary Club believes it is important to acknowledge and respect the traditional owners of the land we call Australia. Our Club is involved in several programs to improve the life of aboriginal people in Western Australia.

Laurie Glossop

President

Footnote: The above map of Indigenious Australia can be found at the following website:

https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/aiatsis-map-indigenous-australia