I'd like to thank the Aboriginal peoples of the Illawarra region for their welcome to country. In keeping with a longstanding tradition of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, I acknowledge that we are meeting on the country of the Dharrawul people, the traditional owners of this land. I acknowledge the living culture of the Dharrawul people and the unique contribution they make to the life of this region. Expressions of that living culture, and of other cultures which have contributed to our wonderful diverse society, are right here in front of us. It' s also a pleasure to see members of the Illawarra region's ethnic communities taking part in the ceremony.
Many ethnic communities are pillars of the reconciliation process.
I'm pleased also to be sharing a platform with the Premier of this State and the Lord Mayor of this City. I know that both of them are genuine supporters of the reconciliation process. And I know that the State Government and a large number of local councils in New South Wales have made practical, meaningful contributions towards reconciliation. I would especially like to congratulate Linda Burney and the New South Wales State Reconciliation Committee for the wonderful job they've done arranging this convention. And it goes without saying that no event such as this can be staged without the support and efforts of the local community, and I congratulate all the people from this region who have assisted to make this event a success.