Committed to reconciliation

In what has become a tradition at the University of Melbourne, last month students and staff were welcomed to the academic year in a formal Wurundjeri Welcome to Country held in the North Court in the centre of the Parkville campus. 

The introduction of a Wominjeka – ‘Welcome’ in the Woiworung language of the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of the land on which the campus stands – is recent, but according to Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis, an important new tradition which gathers momentum each year.

“It’s lovely to come together – students, staff and members of our wider community – and to be welcomed so generously to the new academic year,” says Professor Davis.

This, the fourth consecutive year that a formal Wominjeka has been conducted on the Parkville campus, included performances from respected didgeridoo player, Wamba Wamba man and cultural educator Ron Murray, a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Diane Kerr, and story telling, song and dance by the Jindi Worabak Dancers. 

This year’s Wominjeka held special significance for the Vice-Chancellor and the crowd gathered in the North Court to receive the welcome.

“Today it has been a great surprise and immense pleasure for me to meet our first – and Australia’s first – Indigenous graduate,” says Professor Davis. 

Dr Margaret Weir (nee Williams) is a Malera-Bandjalang woman whose ancestoral country lies in northern New South Wales. She is an alumna of University Women’s College (now University College) and on the day of the Wominjeka, was in Melbourne to attend her college reunion. 

“It’s my pleasure to be here today,” says Dr Weir. “I have an affiliation with the University of New England where I did my graduate studies, but this is my home, the University of Melbourne is my place.” 

“It’s particularly wonderful to be part of this event, to see so many young Indigenous students, and to be here with my friend and long time supporter Janet Ristic who, all those years ago when she was still Janet Deans, found my University fees, and so made it possible for me to come to an elite college like University Women’s College on scholarship. Janet’s family, the Deans always made me feel at home and less lonely.” 

Dr Weir graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1959, after transferring from the University of Queensland where as an undergraduate studying Arts, she was the first Indigenous person to attend university in Australia.

The 2014 Wominjeka coincides with the University of Melbourne’s completion of its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) which rolled out between 2011 and 2013, and its foray into a second three-year cycle. Melinda Cilento, co-chair of Reconciliation Australia, also attended the 2012 Welcome and RAP celebration.

“Both have been exciting and inspiring events, and Reconciliation Australia is delighted to have Melbourne University as a RAP partner,” says Ms Cilento. “The Melbourne University RAP contains serious commitments in each of the areas of respect, relationships and opportunity – which are the cornerstone of the RAP program. 

According to Ian Anderson, the University of Melbourne’s Foundation Chair of Indigenous Higher Education and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Higher Education Policy), the University continues to be committed to achieving population-parity targets for both Indigenous student intake and Indigenous employment at the University through its Reconciliation Action Plan.

“But in this next phase we want to deepen and broaden our commitment to reconciliation by creating an environment in which our faculties can lead a more comprehensive and ambitious agenda for change.

It is this determination that most impresses Reconciliation Australia. “There are plenty of actions that I could point to and applaud,” says Ms Cilento, “but the one that struck me at the 2014 RAP launch was hearing Vice-Chancellor Professor Davis speak about the goal of bringing the number and dispersion of Indigenous staff and students to population parity.”

“Our parity goals may seem a long way away,” says Professor Anderson, “but with clear targets we can focus our attention on the strategies that deliver the outcomes we need year by year.”

As she looked out at the sea of people which included a large group of enthusiastic pre-schoolers from the university’s childcare centre, Dr Weir offered her thanks and some advice.

“I’m deeply grateful to the University, for the scholarships I received, to my friend Janet and the other friends and supporters I’ve met along the way. 

“It took me until I was 61 to complete my PhD. So I can say to you all, and please believe me – it’s never too late to realise your dreams!” 

Melinda Cilento shared Dr Weir’s feelings, commenting: “As I glanced around the attendees at this wonderful RAP launch – including the toddlers from the Uni childcare centre – I couldn’t help but think this was the future of reconciliation before my eyes.”