When Lieutenant Cook arrived on our shores in 1770 he had very clear instructions from the British Government to treat the peoples he met with humanity, and that shedding their blood was a crime. He was instructed that he did not have the right to occupy their land or settle among them without their voluntary consent. In fact, he shot and wounded one of the inhabitants on first landing, stole their fishing equipment and claimed the land without consent.

All this information is based on historical records from the time of the landing. The historical records of early settlement contain records of many atrocities against the First Peoples of Australia – the recent SBS program “The Australian Wars” tells this story.

Last Saturday there was a gathering at Kamay Bay, the landing place where these stories were told, leaders from the First Nations recounted the impact on them and white leaders (including Stuart) acknowledged the wrong that has been done. All this was in preparation for a National Act of Recognition next year which seeks to change the narrative of Australia’s foundation to one that better recognises the viewpoint of First Peoples.

South Head Anglican was well represented. Stuart is one of the leaders of the event and was one of the speakers. Tobias and Esther were helping with sound and vision and Ray was one of the help team running the event.

Much work needs to be done before this National Recognition event. The message is very powerful and needs to be delivered in a way that is relevant for the current generation. There needs to be continued consultation with First Nations leaders. There needs to be a linkage to the truth-telling part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Please make this a topic for your prayers, I would be very happy to chat to anyone in our community about how we should be involved.