CHANGE takes time, but it is heartening to see how many people in Mandurah want to make a positive transformation in community race relations right now.
On Saturday, people from all across the spectrum of Mandurah society filled Christ’s Church Anglican Church for a celebration of the life of Yaburgurt Winjan, an influential Binjareb man who had the respect of both Aboriginal people and white settlers. Though technically a memorial marking the 100th anniversary of his death, the event was a joyful, enlightening experience.
Yaburgurt Winjan must have been a truly exceptional man. He was only 5 years old when the first European settlers came to the area, and when he was 10 he witnessed the Pinjarra Massacre, an atrocity that claimed his mother and brother. He later recalled that even dogs were shot on that awful day.
As time went on, he saw many of his people felled by diseases that settlers brought such as smallpox, whooping cough and cholera. Life became very hard.
Yet instead of succumbing to bitterness and hatred, Mr Winjan became a symbol of tolerance. According to those who compiled information for the Yaburgurt Commemoration Project, he befriended and advised settler families and was employed to carry mail, and important task. He also was respected by his own people.
We should emulate the example of Yarburgurt Winjan. While not forgetting the past, we must put rancour behind us, leave off the finger-pointing and recrimination. Racism is learned behaviour, and it was obvious that the people at Saturday’s service are all for rejecting harmful, counterproductive bias. Nearly all joined the Koolbardie/Madjitil Moorna Choir in singing the beautiful We Are One.
Because we are in all ways that truly matter.
I come from America, which has its share of shameful racial strife. When I was a small child, schools were integrated by force. Images on TV showed black children being escorted into schools by armed National Guardsmen, surrounded by seething crowds who radiated hatred.
These things still bubble to the surface sometimes, but in mid-life I take great pride in the fact that my fellow citizens elected an African-American president, something that even 20 years ago I would have thought impossible. In 1963, Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.” And it really happened.
I have great faith in the people of Mandurah that we can build a future together which we can all be proud of. And I am not alone.
At the Yaburgurt celebration, Elder Harry Nannup spoke of growing up in Mandurah and some of the challenges he faced. He, too, has seen a lot change in his many years here.
“Lots of people say Mandurah is one of the most racist towns. I can say they’re very wrong,” he said. “People are trying to do the right thing.
“I reckon Mandurah is a special place to bring your family up.”
Let’s all make sure he’s right.
