We, the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, acknowledge the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Yaegl, Githabul, Gumbayngirr, Dunghutti and Birpai peoples, traditional custodians of these lands on which this Diocese is based; and we pay tribute and respect to the elders of these nations and peoples, both past and present, and acknowledge their connection with and care for this country.
Reflect – Reconciliation Action Plan
Note that the RAP date is extended to August 2026
Uluru Statement From The Heart
OUR RECONCILIATION JOURNEY SO FAR
There have been many significant milestones in the Reconciliation journey of
the Anglican Diocese of Grafton.
Aboriginal Affairs Advisor for Anglican Diocese of Grafton was established
and operated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Rev Robert Draffan was
appointed as the first Aboriginal Affairs Advisor for our Diocese, initially to
Bishop Bruce Schultz then Bishop Philip Huggins. This role built community
contacts, Reconciliation groups and collaboration.
The Magpies Group formed in the early 1990s aiming to bring Aboriginal
peoples and non-Indigenous peoples together for Reconciliation. The group
held annual weekend gatherings across different parts of the Diocese,
focusing on relevant and topical themes. The group expanded to include
representatives from the Catholic and Uniting Churches.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council (NATSIAC)
was established in 1991/92 and the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has actively
engaged with NATSIAC since then. Notably, Aboriginal priests from the
Diocese of Grafton have been a key part of NATSIAC with Rev Canon Aunty
Lenore Parker having a pivotal role in its formation, Rev Daryl McCulloch
serving as secretary in recent years, and Rev Brenda Yager currently the
NATSIAC Diocesan Representative.
Kempsey Parish had The Sorry Book brought to Kempsey Parish and it was
signed by clergy and many parishioners. This was part of an Australia-wide
initiative following the Bringing Them Home Report in 1997. In the year 2000,
parishioners participated in the Kempsey Bridge Walk for Reconciliation in
solidarity with the Sydney Bridge Walk for Reconciliation. A Prayer Vigil with
Aboriginal Catholic Ministries took place outside Kempsey Shire Offices
to encourage an apology to the Dunghutti people. Aboriginal Artwork
developed in collaboration with the parish church at Kempsey was installed
in the Chapel of the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre.
East Ballina Massacre Commemoration occurred in 2001 led by the
Anglican Parish of Ballina in collaboration with local Aboriginal community
members and the Catholic and Uniting Churches. In 1853 or 1854, a massacre
of Aboriginal people occurred on Bundjalung Country at the places now
called Black Head and Angels Beach in East Ballina. This massacre targeted
a community of approximately 200 to 300 Bundjalung people who were
sleeping at night. During the attack, 30 to 40 Bundjalung people were
killed. Survivors were separated and placed in various missions, resulting
in families being torn apart. For those who survived, the Bundjalung
language was banned, leading to a significant disruption of culture and
connection. The commemoration included a ceremony and the installation
of plaques commemorating the loss of lives on the site of this dreadful
historical event. The ceremony was led by Yaegl Woman Lenore Parker, at
the time a lay leader in the Anglican Church (later ordained) who was one
of the founders of the Diocesan Reconciliation Group, with Bishop Philip
Huggins and a Supreme Court Judge also in attendance. The ceremony
included dance by local Aboriginal Dancers and the use of oil from Uluru for
anointing. Bishop Philip Huggins recognised the importance of this moment
in the history of Grafton Diocese. This commemorative site continues to
be held in high respect by both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous peoples.
The commemoration came at a significant time nationally following the
1997 Bringing Them Home Report and the 2000 Sydney Harbour Bridge
Walk, showing a growing desire for Reconciliation across the diocese. The
Venerable Greg Ezzy, who was at that time the Rector of Ballina Parish, met
with Elders from Cabbage Tree Island who shared stories of the painful
history of poisonings, massacres, and killings of their people. Ballina Anglican
Parish continue to prioritise Reconciliation with a Rainbow Spirit Altar Frontal,
showing in a visual way their connections with the Bundjalung people.
Acknowledgements of Country are recommended for ministry units.
Diocesan websites and publications include Acknowledgements of Country.
Anglicare North Coast has provided all ministry units with posters for public
display Acknowledging Country for our Diocese. Since 2011, the Cathedral
has prominently displayed artwork by Frances Belle Parker commissioned to
Acknowledge Country.
St Cuthbert’s Parish at Tweed Heads often has a Welcome to Country led
by an Aboriginal parishioner or invited local Aboriginal guests.
The “Called by God” podcast in 2023, celebrating the 30th anniversary of
women’s ordination, featured Aboriginal priests Rev Canon Aunty Lenore
Parker and Rev Brenda Yager.
Advocacy and Support for the 2023 Voice Referendum and the Uluru
Statement from the Heart was shown through Bishop Murray Harvey
publishing letters advocating for a yes vote in the 2023 Referendum and
supporting the Statement from the Heart. The Diocesan Registry Office
displayed a banner encouraging a yes vote.
Installation of Aboriginal Honorary Canon and NAIDOC In 2024, during
a NAIDOC service, the Reverend Canon Lenore Parker, a Yaegl Elder and
Anglican Priest, was installed as an Honorary Canon of Grafton Cathedral
by the Right Reverend Dr Murray Harvey—a position of honour to advise
the Dean. The Cathedral Chapter has engaged in long-term collaboration
with Rev Canon Aunty Lenore, supporting her in truth-telling endeavours
and her development of River Theology. Her story has been shared in the
Diocesan video for NAIDOC week and the Diocesan podcast “Called by God”
celebrating the stories of women ordained in our diocese.
While progress has been made, there is still much work ahead. We
acknowledge our historical ignorance and complicity regarding colonialism
and dispossession which had and continues to have devastating
consequences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Diocese
continues to mourn the treatment of children in the North Coast Children’s
home, acknowledging that many of the children impacted were Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander children.
