Kirstie Parker
Kirstie Parker is a Yuwallarai Aboriginal woman from New South Wales. She has more than 20 years experience in journalism and communications. Since July 2006, she has been the Editor of the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander newspaper, the Koori Mail. Prior to this, she was Media and Communications Manager at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in Canberra, ran the award-winning Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre (AILC), and was the Director of the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute - Tandanya in Adelaide. She was Director of Public Affairs for ATSIC for two and a half years, and media adviser to a Federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for two years. She has also worked for ABC Radio and the West Australian newspaper, and was Editor of a weekly regional newspaper in far north QLD. Kirstie is a past member of numerous arts and community committees and advisory bodies. In 2003, she received a Centenary Medal for her contribution to the Indigenous community and Australian life.
What a reconciled Australia looks like to me.
To me, a reconciled Australia is one that bears all the hallmarks of the best enduring personal friendships.
It is one that has encountered stumbles, misunderstandings and disappointment and, yet, emerged strong and all the better for it. No-one ever says 'Ah, my best mate so-and-so, they've stuck with me through just the good times'. Real and lasting friendships don't just happen, they are forged over both good times and bad.
A reconciled Australia is one whose people have 'had things out' - as honestly and as comprehensively as possible - so that things can't come back to bite us later.
It is one that admits the mistakes of the past, understands why those mistakes happened and says (and means) that it will not repeat them.
A reconciled Australia is one whose people don't rely solely upon dusty history books for a sense of identity, but also upon the memories and stories of Indigenous people who were frequently excluded from such records.
It is one that can laugh at itself, and concede its foibles. It is one whose people need not posture or be afraid of showing occasional vulnerability.
A reconciled Australia is one whose people are robust and secure. Like dear friends who know - no matter how much time passes or the distance between them 'that they are remembered, forgiven, respected, loved and trusted.
Kirstie Parker
