NATHALIE Lucy Williams Connelly has called for more discussion around Australia Day and what it means to Aboriginal people in Swan Hill.
Having lived in the region for 60 years, Mrs Connelly said she and her family do not celebrate the day because “of the bad things which have happened” in the past.
She said she learned of her people’s history through stories from her father who spoke of harder times for Aboriginal Victorians.
“The Aboriginal people don’t celebrate Australia Day,” she said.
“My father said once all the fighting with black fellas was over, people think it can be celebrated. But we won’t… the point is the people need to get to know one another and mix in, understand.
“I have been here for 60 years and there needs to be a chance of understanding. There are lot of people who do that and mix but a lot still don’t. You don’t expect people to fall all over you but it would be nice to get them to listen.”
