The annual is being delivered by Yawuru leader Senator Patrick Dodson at the Rumbalara Football Netball Club in Shepparton on Yorta Yorta country this Friday night.
Co-hosted by the Kaiela Institute and the University of Melbourne, the Dungala Kaiela ‘Defining Goulburn Murray’ oration celebrates Aboriginal cultural identity with the goal of creating a shared vision for the people of the greater Goulburn Valley region and promoting Aboriginal development.
Senator Dodson’s oration, The spirit of this country perspectives in review and a vision for our future, will explore the successes, failures, disappointments and areas of ongoing need for Indigenous people, including reconciliation, land, recognition and public policy.
He will also share his views on the Uluru Statement and the need for an Indigenous voice to Federal Parliament to be enshrined in the national Constitution.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell will be attending the oration, highlighting the University’s commitment to the Kaiela Institute, and to the Shepparton community and region as a strong employer and partner in local health, education and research.
Kaiela Institute Executive Director and Rumbalara Football Netball Club President Paul Briggs said the oration is both a celebration of Yorta Yorta culture and a challenge to Victorian and regional leadership to build inclusive prosperity in the Goulburn Murray.
“This year marks the 11th Dungala Kaiela Oration. The Goulburn Murray is privileged to be hosting Senator Pat Dodson, known as the Father of Reconciliation and one of the most inspirational and gifted leaders in Australian society today,” Mr Briggs said.
“Thanks to a highly successful partnership between the Kaiela Institute, the Rumbalara Football Netball Club and Australia’s leading university, the University of Melbourne, the annual oration stimulates and inspires the region to be better, to lead, to close the gap and to define the future.”
Senator Dodson entered Federal Parliament in 2016. He was co-chair of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition Relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Senator Dodson has an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Melbourne.
What: Dungala Kaiela Oration
When: Friday 9 August, 5pm
Who: , University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell and Kaiela Institute Executive Director and President of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club Paul Briggs
Photo opportunity: Smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, Dhungala Children’s Choir, oration lecture by Senator Dodson and interviews with Senator Dodson, Professor Maskell and Mr Briggs.
