Council announces program and speakers for Corroboree 2000

Chairperson Evelyn Scott today announced the full program of speakers and stage participants for the Saturday event at the Sydney Opera House, the first day of Corroboree 2000, the major national reconciliation event being held in Sydney on the weekend of 27-28 May.

"I am very pleased to announce the participation on stage of Australian leaders and performers who represent Aboriginal people, Torres Strait Islanders, and the wider Australian community," Ms Scott said.

"This includes the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, all premiers and chief ministers, the Chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the Chairman of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue and Dr Mick Dodson, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Australian Democrats in the federal parliament, and youth representatives. Showcasing Australia’s wide cultural diversity, various performing artists and groups will present cultural items," she said.

Ms Scott said that the NSW Premier, Mr Bob Carr, would welcome participants and that the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, and the ATSIC Chairman, Mr Geoff Clark, would both speak during the morning session. She said that all other premiers and chief ministers and the president of the Australian Local Government Association would be present on the stage during the morning session.

"The Governor-General, the TSRA Chairman, Mr Terry Waia, two youth speakers, and Dr Mick Dodson will speak during the afternoon session, which will begin with a Journey of Healing ceremony narrated by Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue," she said.

"On the following day, the People’s Walk for Reconciliation will cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Council sees this as people’s opportunity to show their support for reconciliation, and we expect at least 100,000 people will take part," Ms Scott said.

An outline of the Program follows.

CANBERRA 17 MAY 2000

PROGRAM

CORROBOREE 2000
Sharing Our Future

Sydney Opera House

Saturday, 27 May 2000

8.45am – 9.15am	Participants are seated.
9.30am	Welcome to Country by elders who have a traditional or historical link with the Sydney region: Herb Simms, Sylvia Scott, Colin Gale, Iris Williams, Ali Golding, Beryl Timbery Beller, accompanied by Cliff Foley and Kristy Kennedy. Cultural performance
9.55am	Welcome from the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Bob Carr, MP In the presence of: The Governor-General, the NSW Governor, the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Premier of New South Wales, the Premier of Victoria, the Premier of Queensland, the Premier of Western Australia, the Premier of South Australia, the Premier of Tasmania, the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Leader of the Democrats, the Council Chairperson, the Council Deputy Chairperson, the ATSIC Chairman, the Chairman of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board, and the President of the Australian Local Government Association.
10.00am	Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, Dr Evelyn Scott
10.05am	*Video Our Journey towards* Reconciliation and arrival of the national reconciliation documents** The national reconciliation documents arrive by outrigger canoe at the Man O’War steps outside Sydney Opera House to the fanfare of the Moeyoengu Koekaperr Dance Team of Saibai Island and the 51^st Far North Queensland Regiment.
10.30am	Chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, Mr Geoff Clark
10.37am	The Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard, MP
10.47am	Corroboree 2000 performance
11.30am-1pm	Lunch. Participants are invited to sign the Pledge Books in the foyers.
1.00pm	Cultural performance
1.05pm	Journey of Healing Ceremony - narrated by Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE
	Youth representatives, Ms Renee Coffey and Mr Marcus Lacey
	Chairman of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the Torres Strait Islander Advisory Board, Mr Terry Waia
	Representatives of national organisations make a symbolic commitment to the reconciliation process. Cultural performance
	Chair of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Dr Mick Dodson
	Gift Exchange Representative gifts from every State and Territory recording their presence at Corroboree 2000 will be passed to Council Members. In return, the national reconciliation documents and Pledge Books will be handed to representatives of each State and Territory.
	His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir William Deane, AC, KBE
	Finale performance
2.30pm	Close

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Council announces program and speakers for Corroboree 2000

PROGRAM

CORROBOREE 2000 Sharing Our Future

Participants are seated.

Welcome to Country by elders who have a traditional or historical link with the Sydney region: Herb Simms, Sylvia Scott, Colin Gale, Iris Williams, Ali Golding, Beryl Timbery Beller, accompanied by Cliff Foley and Kristy Kennedy. Cultural performance

Representatives of national organisations make a symbolic commitment to the reconciliation process.

Gift Exchange Representative gifts from every State and Territory recording their presence at Corroboree 2000 will be passed to Council Members. In return, the national reconciliation documents and Pledge Books will be handed to representatives of each State and Territory.

CORROBOREE 2000
Sharing Our Future