Cultural Awareness Education

The Brunswick Uniting Church First Nations Focus Group FNF and the Brunswick Uniting Church Council are excited to announce a program of First Peoples’ Cultural Awareness Education facilitated by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. These are to be held at Brunswick Uniting Church (BUC) for members of BUC (and others if spaces permits).

The cost for this training has been subsidised by both Church Council and individuals. There is a sliding scale available – depending on your circumstances.

Cost to attend ranges from being Free to Attend up to $140. Details below and in the booking process.

Book now

Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony
Sunday 17th May: 11am
Lunch will be provided.
All are encourage to attend and participate this ceremony.
Book to confirm your attendance.
This will assist with catering.
The ceremony and lunch are free to attend.

Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education Sessions
Please choose one only of these sessions.
Book your session on Trybooking
Sunday 17th May: 12.30-4.30pm
Saturday 23rd May: 1-5pm
Saturday 13th June: 10.30am-2.30pm
There are 25 places in each session.
If there are not sufficient BUC people we will invite our local and ecumenical neighbours.

Participation costs:
– Full time worker – $140
– Part time worker – $100
– Self-funded retiree – $100
– Pens/Stud Concession – $70
– Financial hardship – contact Jenne

Background

More than 30 years ago, the Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and the Uniting Church in Australia, entered into a covenant*, which involved a commitment to walk together as First and Second Peoples in a journey of reconciliation, justice and healing.

In the spirit of the Covenant, in 2021, BUC prepared a Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Corporation,* this was to learn, reflect, pray and act together on our relationship with First Nations Peoples and to inform our support of First Nations issues, particularly Voice, Treaty and Truth. In early 2023 BUC prepared & delivered a Statement of Commitment* to Wurundjeri Corporation and this was most recently re-delivered to CEO Kup Teao in 2025.

As a people of faith and members of BUC it is incumbent on us to honour this Covenant and to honour our Statement of Commitment to Wurundjeri Corporation, which commits to:

Encourage all members of BUC, as Second Peoples who have benefited from the history of colonization, to make a personal commitment to learn the history and culture of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and other First Peoples
Challenge all members of BUC to deeply listen to First Peoples, to take responsibility in recognising the injustices done to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People, by Second Peoples, owning this as our work to be done and not First Peoples’ responsibility.
Facilitate this learning by continuing to offer opportunities at BUC including study guides, cultural walks and outings and discussion/study groups and cultural awareness training events.
Explore with Wurundjeri Corporation ways we can make direct or in-kind acknowledgment of the financial impact of colonisation, and or use of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung land for our activities.

The topics to be discussed in the Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education program will respond directly to this commitment. It asks us to challenge our own racism, our privilege ,to commit to listening, truth telling, and repentance, to lament, to remain present in love and to hold fast to a hope, grounded in justice, healing.