But this year the weather was kind and Jim Wandin, Wurundjeri Head Man, especially thanked the churches of Eltham, who combined to hold a service with Wurundjeri Elders earlier that morning. According to Mr Wandin the congregation prayed for good weather for the Reconciliation March. So this year, under blue skies, the march finished at Wingrove Park, as usual. According to historians, Wingrove Park was the main aboriginal meeting place in the shire and it has a special feeling. The manna gums are huge and proudly ancient.
Parrots fly between their branches, too high up to be seen, but screaming loudly.
It s a meditative place, somewhere to sit on the grass and chat with friends, being entertained by local musicians, while kids run freely, accompanied by their dogs. Perhaps this is how the indigenous people used the site before the white invasion. Mr Wandin said he was proud to welcome local residents to Wurundjeri land. Keith Hamilton, Victorian minister for Aboriginal affairs, also addressed the crowd. He said there were many issues to be sorry for.