This is what Leading Senior Constable Scott Miller of the Tungamah Police told the audience at the formal Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony at the Tungamah Police Station last Tuesday.
“Victoria Police pay our respects to the traditional owners of lands in which we live and work,” Lead. Snr. Const. Miller said.
“We pay our respects to elders and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who continue to care for their country, culture and people.
“We acknowledge that in the past the relationship between Victoria Police and the Aboriginal community at times, has been strained.
“The raising of the flags together symbolises Victoria Police’s commitment to work with the Aboriginal community now and in the future and to continue to work together strengthening the relationship.
“This is the final station in the Wangaratta Police Service Area to achieve this wonderful milestone and is now very close to Eastern region Division Four being the only police division in Victoria with the Aboriginal flag flying alongside the Australian flag at every permanent police station,” Wangaratta Local Area Commander Inspector Luke Kirton added.
“That is something we are very proud of.”
Tungamah Primary School teacher and Yorta Yorta woman Mandy Williams was honored to be able to raise the Aboriginal flag at the police station and said she was happy with what it symbolized.
“It is great for Aboriginal people to be recognised and shows how we are progressing as a nation,” Mandy said.
“It is an honour to be recognised; it is a special day and it’s great to see the community getting behind it also.
“It is also a great opportunity for Tungamah.
“The community has been great the whole time I have lived here and have become more inclusive as time has gone on.”
In another step forward for the relationship between the police and aboriginal people and a first for the area, Mel Walkerden has started her job within the Wangaratta Police Service Area as an Aboriginal Cultural Liaison Officer.
Mel will be based in Wodonga and will be the go-to person in any matter between an Aboriginal person and the police.
From Barmah through to Corryong, Mel will be on the job to assist in the reconciliation of relationships.