A special month-long collaboration between the City of Melville and Blak Dingo Club in honour of National Reconciliation Week will bring a free film series and a quiz night to Melville this May and June.
Beginning on Thursday, 22 May just ahead of the official National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), the weekly film series and quiz night will be hosted at the City of Melville’s Main Hall and will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander film history, actors, filmmakers, producers and stories.
Blak Dingo Club was created as a social club in 2024, some months after the 2023 national referendum results. The club was founded by Bibbulmun Noongar and Kungarakan artist Ilona McGuire, widely known for her place-responsive drone-light-art performance First Lights, which reimagined First Nations storytelling.
McGuire commented that Blak Dingo Club seeks to offer opportunities for joyful community connection centred in truth-telling and reconciliation.
“Blak Dingo Club exists to make space for joy, celebration and pride in all the amazing things we have achieved, as a resistance to the ever-present anguish and heartbreak of our shared histories. It offers a reclamation of space. To re-energise, to relax and to laugh through fun events and activities.
“We invite everyone to come along to the film screenings and quiz night and share in the celebration, achievements and joyful moments in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories.”
In celebration of National Reconciliation Week, Melville will also host Reconciliation in Conversation with Dr Tracy Westerman AM, renowned First Nations psychologist, author and trailblazer in Aboriginal mental health, suicide prevention and cultural competency.
A Guided Walk and Talk on the Noongar season of Makuru will be presented at the City of Melville EcoHub by local cultural educator and artist Rickeeta Walley where attendees will learn about the fertility season, the coldest and wettest time of the year.
Melville has been committed to embracing reconciliation across the City for several years. City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair commented:
“The act of reconciliation extends beyond one week and needs to be advocated for by all in the community if it is going to truly be successful.
“The events on offer throughout Melville this May and June are opportunities to come together and listen, share and learn.
“We hope they inspire the community to think about how they can contribute an ongoing and tangible difference towards reconciliation.
“The momentum behind National Reconciliation Week seems to be growing year-on-year. It is encouraging to see the City’s community so engaged in the program. I encourage everyone to get involved this National Reconciliation Week.”
The City of Melville’s Reconciliation Week activities begin on Thursday, 22 May and run through to Saturday, 14 June.
For more information on the Blak Dingo Club events, visit www.melvillecity.com.au/blakdingoclub
For the full list of National Reconciliation Week events, information and to register, visit www.melvillecity.com.au/nrw
City of Melville National Reconciliation Week Events
Film Screenings & Quiz Night
Bookings are essential as capacity is limited.
Bran Nue Dae: Thursday, 22 May from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at City of Melville Main Hall, Booragoon
The Sapphires: Thursday 29 May from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at City of Melville Main Hall, Booragoon
Top End Wedding: Thursday, 5 June from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at City of Melville Main Hall, Booragoon
Satellite Boy: Thursday, 12 June from 7.00pm to 9.00pm at City of Melville Main Hall, Booragoon
Quiz Night: Saturday, 14 June from 6.00pm to 9.00pm at City of Melville Main Hall, Booragoon
Reconciliation in Conversation with Dr Tracy Westerman
- Wednesday, 11 June from 6.45pm to 8.00pm
- This will be a discussion between the City of Melville’s First Nations Coordinator, Aimee Ryan and Dr Tracy Westerman, a First Nations Psychologist and author.
Makuru Guided Walk & Talk
- Presented by Rickeeta Walley
- Saturday, 7 June with the first session running from 12noon to 1.00pm and the second session from 1.30pm to 2.30pm
- At City of Melville EcoHub