Damien Carter, a proud Gamilaroi man, was born near the Tamworth area and raised in Lightning Ridge. Damien is recognised as an Aboriginal person both within his community and in the Sutherland Shire, on Dharawal Country. Resilience has been a defining part of Damien’s journey. Throughout his life, he has faced racism, discrimination, and being told he’d never amount to anything, sometimes even by those we’re meant to trust, like teachers and police. These and other setbacks

Documentary films like Lousy Little Sixpence are not only about history. They are about reconciliation - which begins with listening. During National Reconciliation Week, dozens gathered at Hazelhurst Gallery to listen to stories to understand more deeply why First Nations people continue to carry the consequences of systems designed to dispossess, control and exclude them — not because of failure, but because so much was taken, withheld, managed and denied. Lousy Little Sixp

Today is National Sorry Day, and SSR amplifies this year’s clear call: From Sorry to Action. On Sunday morning, around 30 people gathered quietly in Kurnell for our sunrise vigil focused on reflection, truth-telling and reconciliation. With soft music playing in the background and smoke from burning leaves drifting gently across the shoreline, the gathering unfolded in a calm and deeply respectful atmosphere as the sun slowly rose over Dharawal Country - beautiful. Five stori

NAIDOC Week is a time for Australians to learn about and celebrate the oldest continuous living culture in the world, but learning about and celebrating our First Nations Peoples should not be limited to one week a year. That was the sentiment behind the creation of St John Bosco parish’s NAIDOC-inspired liturgical garments: a chasuble and a stole. The chasuble is adorned with artwork that tells the story of St John Bosco College’s connection to the Country on which it sits

A dozen community leaders took up a unique opportunity on Saturday to craft an authentic story that moves people to reflect or take action on issues they care about. Over morning tea, participants who advocate for First Nations justice, as well as environmental and social issues, reflected on the power of storytelling in creating change. “A story is the only way to activate parts in the brain so that a listener turns the story into their own idea and experience... it's the o

SSR had a visible and engaging presence at the Sutherland Shire Council’s "Meeting of Two Cultures" commemorative event on Wednesday. During a sunny autumn day in Kamay Botany Bay National Park in Kurnell, SSR volunteers had dozens of conversations with attendees about our community efforts towards understanding and reconciliation. Attendees were keen to take the time to plait Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag-coloured wool to wear on their wrist whilst reflecting o