1000 Voices sing for reconciliation
By Reverend Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain
There are times when we are invited to participate in something greater than ourselves.
On Friday, 30 May, students in Year 5 and Year 6 and the Vivace choir embraced such an opportunity with their hands, hearts and voices!
The 1000 Voices for Reconciliation Yarning in Song event gathered singers from around Australia in the Great Hall of Parliament House. At the centre of the gathering were two flowers: the poppy, which has long been a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in wars overseas, and the Sturt Desert Pea, a flower of remembrance from Aboriginal nations across Australia symbolising innocent blood spilt on Country.
The two organisations behind the event were Making Peas/ce and the OZY Youth Choir Honouring Defence Service. Reconciliation occurred through truth-telling and acts of remembrance that included First Nations people who died defending their Country during the frontier wars, as well as those who died defending Australia on foreign soil.
Special moments from the event included a Welcome to Country by Paul Girrawah House, a senior Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian of the Canberra region with Wiradjuri, Walgalu and Ngunnawal ancestry. Aboriginal Elders from across Australia were also present and shared their stories. Australia’s Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, was also present, along with parliamentarians
The two anthems that remember those who died on Country and for the country, The Anthem of the Desert Pea and One and Free, filled the halls of Parliament House. Vivace choir also sang Inanay, a song arranged by Aunty Dr Lou Bennett, a Yorta Yorta woman and member of the band Tiddas.
A video of the event made by the ABC gives a sense of what it was like to be in the Great Hall of Parliament House for this moment of truth-telling, unity and healing.
This article from the ABC shares more about the significance and background of 1000 Voices for Reconciliation.
Participation in this very special event is something that our students will remember for many years to come.
"It felt like the harmonies that were created when we sang were turned into real-life magic and that each of us, having different parts to sing, had to play our part to create something bigger than all of us. Everyone joined in to connect and create new bonds that will help us to grow stronger together in the spirit of reconciliation, respect and resilience." – Alexis, Year 6
"I noticed that everyone joined in together and it sounded really good because people really joined in. There was a message of Reconciliation to remember the past to make a better future." – George, Year 6
"I noticed that the room rumbled because of all the voices coming together. I learnt that if we come together, we can really make a difference." – Edison, Year 6