Truth-telling at National Reconciliation Week event

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Council’s 2025 National Reconciliation Week event is focusing on truth-telling, with highlighting of one family’s struggle in the face of discrimination.

Wemba Wemba man and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative CEO Simon Flagg will be key presenter at the event tonight, 29 May, sharing the journey of Aboriginal parents Lucy and Percy Pepper who cared for each other and seven children while living in poverty at various locations across Victoria during the early 1900s.

As former manager for Aboriginal history at the Victorian Public Record Office, Simon was instrumental in compiling the Peppers’ story from letters, archival records and photographs.

The story became a best-selling book under the title Footprints – The Journey of Lucy and Percy Pepper.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, with the 2025 theme Bridging Now To Next providing a focus for Australians to learn about shared histories and cultures and to explore how they can contribute to achieving reconciliation.

Council is continuing its journey to reconciliation, respectfully walking alongside Traditional Owners and First Nations people.

The event will include a Welcome to Country by Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, and a performance by singer Ngara McEwen – a proud Arrernte, Bundjalung woman with deep connections to Wathaurong Country.

 

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