Plaque acknowledging Wanthaurong Peoples in grounds of St Mary’s Basilica Geelong

MEDIA RELEASE: 29 May 2015

(For immediate distribution)

Brisbane Activist Returns to Birth City for Reconciliation Week

Brisbane social activist and photographer, Tony Robertson will attend his first Koori  event in his birth city of Geelong this week.

Mr Robertson with some of his family members who live in Geelong   will attend  Reconciliation in the Park  at Johnstone Park on Sunday 31st May from 10.00am-3.00pm

Reconciliation in the Park is a collaborative event  supported by Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group & Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd with The Gordon, Geelong Gallery & Narana Creations

“I am excited to join the celebrations  during National Reconciliation Week with the local  First Nations peoples  about  whom nothing was taught when I was a young student in Geelong in the 1960s.” he said.

Mr Robertson lived in Geelong from 1953 – 1971 attending school at St Patrick’s Primary in Geelong West and St. Joseph’s College , Newtown.

“This was an era when one of my local footy heroes was “ Polly” Farmer yet I never once heard any reference to his Aboriginal origins. Now when I visit Geelong I am proud to see  a public acknowledgement of the Wathaurong  people in the grounds of St Mary’s Basilica” he said.

Mr Robertson has photographed and documented First Nations peoples  in his home city of Brisbane  as well as a series in the Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) community in the Northern Territory. One of his Indigenous  political images has recently featured in an exhibition at the British Museum.

Mr Robertson said: “Although I am visiting Geelong for my Year 12 reunion, the opportunity to attend my first Koori event in my birth city marks another milestone for me “

Contact

Tony Robertson

M: 0417 792 509

E: robertsontony@yahoo.com