Wednesday, 8 June 2022

St Margaret’s Anglican Church yarning circle

Ms WARD: St Margaret’s Anglican parish is a very special place in our community, and they have opened another extremely special place, a yarning circle, next to their church. In 2019 the Do Justice group from St Margaret’s resolved to develop a reconciliation action plan. After hearing from David Law about Anglicare’s Buldau Yioohgen—‘Big Dreams’ youth academy—came the idea for a local yarning circle and fire pit. The site where the yarning circle has been developed was recorded by early settlers as being a space used by the Wurundjeri and other First Nations people as a camp and a gathering site for friends and family. From a concept drawing by Emily Tuke, the site was chosen and approved by Wurundjeri aunties, who generously shared their knowledge and language, helping the St Margaret’s community to further understand the significance of yarning circles. Our new yarning circle is a powerful reminder to Eltham about our land’s roots and the significance of Indigenous Australians to our identity as Victorians and Australians. I am so very grateful to the St Margaret’s community for developing this circle and to Nillumbik Shire Council for their support and financial contribution. St Margaret’s are to be thanked and congratulated for their leadership in reconciliation and social justice. (Time expired)