With inspiring contributions from all participants and generous cooperation from members and staff at NSW Parliament House and the Sydney and Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, this year's Citizenship Convention for Primary Schools - Our Place in Reconciliation - was a very special event, revisiting the 'Steps to Reconciliation' theme of the second convention in 2000.

This convention was organised in conjunction with the NSW Parliamentary and Community Resources Section especially Daniela Giorgi, whose energetic and creative planning made the event a resounding success. The most complex convention held yet, it was a great opportunity to acknowledge what has happened to Australia's Indigenous people in the past and to work together towards reconciliation.

On Monday 8 November, 63 students from 13 schools around NSW gathered in the Legislative Council Chamber to acknowledge what has happened to Australia's Indigenous people in the past, and share ways to continue working together towards reconciliation. There were also 40 adults present, including teachers, parents, and representatives from the Henry Parkes Foundation, Reconciliation Australia and the Parliament.

As in previous years the Foundation offered grants to enable the country schools, including Tenterfield, Faulconbridge and Parkes, to participate. Parkes Shire Council matched our grant to help their school with accommodation and travel costs.

Essential to the Convention's success were the passion and enthusiasm brought to the job of Chairperson by Linda Burney MP, and the moving stories of the two guest speakers Mr Dave Ella, President of the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, and Ms Dolly Jerome, Aboriginal Education Assistant at the Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School, Tenterfield.

The students presented their ideas and explained what they had done in their schools towards reconciliation. A special presentation from Tenterfield students and their Principal Mr Graeme Hancock wound up the convention. The students' understanding of the issues and their dedication to reconciliation were truly inspiring.

The schools had been invited to bring commemorative artworks such as 'reconciliation tiles'. After the dedication of the Reconciliation Garden (see below), the students presented their tiles to the Parliament. Two of these made from concrete have been mounted in the garden, while the others were placed on display in the Legislative Council Lobby.

All in all a wonderful day that brought many people together to share their ideas and inspired all those present to continue to work towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in NSW.


DEDICATION OF THE RECONCILIATION GARDEN

One of the highlights of the 2004 Convention was the dedication of a native garden in the western corner of the NSW Parliament's Roof Garden as a 'Reconciliation Garden' by the Hon. Meredith Burgmann, President of the Legislative Council, and the Hon. John Aquilina, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Much preparation and hard work went into this, by Bob Walker, the staff in the NSW Parliament's Building Services section and the contract supervisor from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Andy Sing, and all was ready on the day, including a beautiful new plaque dedicating the garden.

No amount of preparation could ensure a sunny day, however, and as the rain poured down we hurriedly created a wet weather Reconciliation Garden in the Parliament's Fountain Court, thanks to the wonderful donation of native plants from the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens, provided through their Education Officer Mr Allen Powell.

A man of many talents, Allen miraculously appeared a little later as Sir Henry Parkes to help the Presiding Officers officially dedicate the garden.

Both the Speaker and the President spoke movingly about reconciliation and encouraged the students to continue their work.

Participating schools
Currambena School, Lane Cove
Darlinghurst Public School
Darlington Public School
Faulconbridge Public School*
Holy Innocents Primary School, Croydon
Hunters Hill Public School
International Grammar School, Ultimo
Parkes Public School*
Plunkett St Public School, Woolloomooloo
Ryde Public School
St Peters Public School
Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School, Tenterfield*
Ultimo Public School

* The Henry Parkes Foundation provided grants to these country schools, and Parkes Public School was also assisted by Parkes Shire Council.