International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is celebrating the contributions and achievements of Australia’s First Nations people this National Reconciliation Week.
The annual event commemorates the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and historic Mabo High Court decision in 1992.
This week, ICC Sydney will display a series of First Nations artworks across its 19 digital blades to welcome visitors in acknowledgment of the 2019 theme, Grounded in Truth, Walk Together with Courage.
This is in addition to the permanent artwork by renowned Aboriginal artist Jeffery Samuels, titled Gadigal, Acknowledgement Respect, which is on display across all main entry points of the venue and across the precinct to officially welcome visitors to ICC Sydney and the Tumbalong precinct.
Internally, the venue’s team members will also come together to learn about shared histories, cultures and traditions at an interactive workshop featuring guest speakers, traditional dances and ceremonies and native produce.
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said practising reconciliation is extremely important to the venue which stands and operates on Tumbalong, the land of the Gadigal clan of the Eora Nation.
“Less than 12 months ago, we were the first convention centre in Australia to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan,” he said.
“Since its introduction, we’ve provided cultural education training for team members in partnership with Eora College and launched a pre-employment program to provide work experience and a pathway to employment for First Nations students.
“This is just the start and we are focused on continuing to put our intentions into practice in order to learn, share and grow, building respectful relationships between the broader community, international visitors and First Nations people.”
ICC Sydney is inviting its clients, partners and community to collectively build a reconciled Australia through its dedicated First Nations Legacy Program stream.
The program gives organisers the opportunity to incorporate authentic First Nations engagement into their events, for example hosting First Nation cultural precinct tours or arranging official Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies with the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council.
