Pilk Purriyn truth-telling

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will again welcome the Surf Coast community to Country in Torquay on 26 January for reflection at Pilk Purriyn – sunrise – and deep listening to historic truth-telling.

An inaugural Pilk Purriyn event earlier this year drew a crowd of 2000 people.

Council is supporting the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to stage the event again in 2024, against the backdrop of the timeless waves of Warri Dja (Sea Country) at Cosy Corner beach.

Alongside traditional Welcome to Country, Smoking and dancing ceremonies, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will share truths, seeking to deepen understanding of the traumas and hurt that colonisation brought upon the First Peoples of this land.

“As Wadawurrung People, we were deeply touched to see the overwhelming number of attendees at the first Pilk Purriyn event, which showed us the deep support and recognition the Surf Coast community has for understanding Wadawurrung Country and People,” said Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles.

“It shows the community is ready to koling wada-ngal (let us walk together).”

First Nations Reconciliation is the first theme in the Council Plan. In 2021 Council resolved to not formally take part in Australia Day celebrations and to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast on 26 January.

The resolution did not seek to diminish community celebrations of 26 January, but to acknowledge historic truths, and the difficulty of the day for First Nations people.

Pilk Purriyn 2024 will start at 5.30am.

Bookings will not be essential but registrations will be encouraged to gauge numbers and enable sharing of updates.

Event details, FAQs and registration