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Paying respects: the #CroakeyGO walkers

Walking for acknowledgement, healing and remembrance: CroakeyGo in Carnarvon

Melissa Sweet
Thursday, May 17, 2018

Croakey projects, CroakeyGO, Indigenous health, Social and emotional wellbeing, Acknowledgement, Trauma, #CroakeyGO Carnarvon 2018

On 27 April, more than 25 people participated in a walk of acknowledgement and remembrance on Yinggarda country, in Carnarvon, Western Australia (as was previewed at Croakey recently).

They followed the trail where Aboriginal people from across WA were forcibly taken en route to the lock hospitals of Bernier and Dorre Islands (1908-1919).

Watch the video below, and see the tweets and photographs to follow.

Shire of Carnarvon acting CEO Mark Dacombe, with Kathleen Musulin and Bob Dorey

From left: Roslyn Randall, Gail Randall, and Katelyn Sesar

Some people who were unable to attend in person participated by Twitter.

Warm thanks to all who participated in the walk, including members of the Memorial Lock Hospital Memorial Working Group in Carnarvon (and those who walked in solidarity in other places), and to Naomi McMahon and Max Employment for providing transport home and cold water for the walkers.

Thanks also to the Carnarvon Hospital for hosting a presentation for staff about the contemporary significance of this history for healthcare practice and policy, and to the the Shire of Carnarvon Library and Art Gallery for hosting a yarning for community members.

Listen to an interview with ABC Karratha about the walk, with Kathleen Musulin and Melissa Sweet, and thanks to Geoff Vivian for reporting on the walk for the Geraldton-based newspaper. See the story, here and here.

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Walking for acknowledgement, healing and remembrance: CroakeyGo in Carnarvon

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