Bundanoon is getting ready to take a significant step towards reconciliation when three organisations come together for an Aboriginal flag presentation.
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The Bundanoon Club, Bundanoon Bowling Club and Bundanoon Croquet Club will hold a ceremony on Sunday, 16 May to accept the flag from the Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group [WRG].
The WRG was given six Aboriginal flags from Federal MP for Hume Angus Taylor for the purposes of distribution to community groups.
Non-Indigenous WRG member Lee Borradale said even small gestures such as these played an important role in reconciliation.
"When Aboriginal groups offer a hand of friendship it is a positive step in the progress of our nation," Mr Borradale told the Southern Highlands News.
"The idea is to take the Aboriginal history of 60,000 years and put it next to the 200 years of white settlement and say, this is Australia, and stand side by side in an act of reconciliation. So it's a really positive gesture on behalf of the Aboriginal groups."
Mr Borradale, a retired principal who has worked with Indigenous communities, reiterated the need for Australians to listen with Reconciliation Week fast approaching on 27 May - 3 June.
"The worst thing that could happen now is a gesture from the Aboriginal community to be declined," he said.
"In all my leadership roles that I've had, listening is absolutely important. That's why I believe the Uluru Statement from the Heart is so important because it seeks to enshrine listening as part of our process forward."
Mr Borradale has previously called for greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service during wartime with hopes a similar flag presentation can happen with local RSL sub-branches in time for Anzac Day 2022.
The flag presentation in Bundanoon is just a small part of the WRG's plan to get Highlanders talking about Aboriginal history in the area.
Mr Borradale said the best way to start was with a simple internet search.
"I would encourage them to simply google 'Southern Highlands Aboriginal history' and they'll see there is a rich history, one that I wasn't aware of."
The ceremony will begin at 3:30pm at the Bundanoon Club. All are welcome to attend.