Thursday, 1 June 2023

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (09:41): Over the weekend I had the great honour of being welcomed onto Wadawurrung country to mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. The theme for reconciliation week in 2023 is ‘Be a voice for generations’ – to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways. It is a chance to learn more of our shared histories and cultures and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation. That is why it was such a special time to be out on country planting trees as part of our partnership with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation and the Wyndham City Council. Together we are planting 10,150 trees on country over the next 12 months. The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation have grown 5000 native trees to be planted as part of this program. It is about creating cooler, greener spaces for communities in the west and supporting Aboriginal determination as we do it.

This is building on our More Trees for a Greener, Cooler West program where we are working with councils, land managers and schools to plant 500,000 trees across our western suburbs. A shout-out to all the locals who got on board and planted hundreds of trees over the weekend. It is a really tangible way to support First Nations people this reconciliation week.