More than 60 indigenous people took to the streets of Moree on Thursday in a peaceful march to commemorate the 179th anniversary of the Waterloo Creek massacre.
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People from Moree, Boggabilla, Mungindi, Collarenabri, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Wee Waa, Inverell, Brisbane, Lismore, Kempsey, Sydney and Melbourne came together in Moree to remember their ancestors and celebrate their culture for the second annual Gamilaraay Survival Day Gathering.
Those marching made plenty of noise as they made their way from Frome Street, via Balo Street, to Jellicoe Park where they gathered for a peaceful day of remembering, healing and learning.
This is the second year Moree has hosted the Gamilaraay Survival Day Gathering, the only Survival Day event outside of the major centres.
Co-organiser of the day, Paul Spearim, said it was great to see so many people come together.
“We had a lot more people than last year. I think it’s only going to get bigger next year,” he said.
Mr Spearim said the day is all about commemorating the Waterloo Creek massacre, understanding the dark history associated with January 26 for indigenous people and, most of all, healing from the events of the past.
“We wanted the atmosphere to be nice and relaxed without anyone getting overwhelmed,” he said.
“It’s about ensuring that the children and Gamilaraay people who have never heard the story can learn the story and stand up proudly to honour the sacrifices that were made. It’s about embracing, understanding and healing, it’s not about guilt from either side.”
It’s about embracing, understanding and healing, it's not about guilt from either side.
- Paul Spearim
Moree Plains Shire Council mayor Katrina Humphries and acting general manager Angus Witherby were in attendance and discussed the possibility of council supporting the event next year, as well as erecting a plaque to commemorate the Waterloo Creek massacre.
“Today is a day that the Aboriginal community come together to remember and commemorate events that have happened. I found it to be an extremely friendly event; very open and very pleasant,” Cr Humphries said. “We’ve now made an undertaking to look into getting a Waterloo Creek plaque and I am confident that we can do something.”
Mr Spearim was pleased with this commitment by council.
“That’s what we wanted,” he said.
“One of the main goals from last year when we had the first commemoration was to get a commitment from council about getting a plaque made up.”
