The grounds of Christ Church Cathedral has become a Sea of Hands to mark Reconciliation Week.
Anglican Church Newcastle partnered up with Samaritans, Manning Valley Anglican College and Newcastle Grammar School to install the hands to express our commitment to reconciliation and recognise the work that still needs to be done.
Acting chief executive Brad Webb said the Sea of Hands first appeared in 1997 in front of Parliament House, Canberra as a statement of solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Anglican Bishop of Newcastle and Samaritans Foundation president Dr Peter Stuart was joined by staff members, people supported by the organisation, community members and students from schools including Newcastle Grammar.
“The beauty of the hands is, that together when we hold hands, we are showing that we are in partnership, we’re connected to one another – so this is a very visual way of saying we want to be together,” Bishop Peter said.
“We will build better and stronger communities for all people as we take seriously the journey of reconciliation,” he said.
“We have much to learn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
This year’s Reconciliation Week theme is Don’t Keep History A Mystery: Learn. Share. Grow.
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