Sea of Hands makes waves across the Great Southern for National Reconciliation Week

A Sea of Hands proudly displaying Aboriginal and Australian flags swept across the Great Southern last week in celebration of National Reconciliation Week.

Reconciliation Week, from May 27-June 3, calls on all Australians to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, and to champion respect across all communities.

Hundreds of community members created hands to add to the display, which first sprang to life in Albany Town Square on May 27.

The display then travelled to Gnowangerup, Tambellup and Katanning, picking up new hands at each stop on its road-trip for reconciliation.

The initiative was brought to life by Aboriginal youth education not-for-profit group the Baldjamaar Foundation.

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, foundation chief executive Damien Yarran said the team had to think quickly to create something special.

Mr Yarran said he was proud to see so many schoolchildren get involved with the project and leave their mark on the Sea of Hands.

“There were personal messages from the community and students, who created a hand and wrote a message about reconciliation for all,” he said.

“The community were so happy to be a part of it.”