This National Reconciliation Week, MidCoast Council is hosting a series of Cinema Under the Stars events showcasing the film 'Teach a Man to Fish'.
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Written and directed by local filmmaker Grant Leigh Saunders, Teach a Man to Fish is an autobiographical piece about Grant's life, focusing on the importance of family and how his culture and ties to his country called him home.
Grant is a member of the Saunders family, his father Ray a prominent local Biripi man and renowned fisherman, and the film is a beautiful representation of their family history, the local fishing industry, politics and connection to country.
The film was a finalist in the Australian Documentary Prize at the Sydney Film Festival in 2018.
"National Reconciliation Week is the perfect platform to share Grant's incredible film again and really highlight different aspects of Aboriginal culture, particularly on a local level," Lyndie Hepple, council's coordinator of community strengthening said.
National Reconciliation Week is the perfect platform to share Grant's incredible film again and really highlight different aspects of Aboriginal culture, particularly on a local level.
- Lyndie Hepple, MidCoast Council
"It's a great opportunity to bring the community together to acknowledge the past and our progress to date, and will hopefully spark conversations about the meaning of Reconciliation Week and the part we all play."
Reconciliation Week Cinema Under the Stars events are being held from 5.30pm at Fotheringham Park Taree on Wednesday, May 29, Billabong Park Gloucester on Thursday, May 30 and John Wright Park Tuncurry on Friday, May 31.
These are family friendly, alcohol free events and everyone attending is encouraged to bring a chair, picnic blanket and rug along.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2019 is 'Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage'. Reconciliation Australia's chief executive officer, Karen Mundine, said it's ultimately about relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians and the need for it to be grounded in truth.
Teach a Man to Fish had the MidCoast talking in 2018 when it was shown at the Manning Entertainment Centre and will no doubt reignite interest and understanding of Aboriginal culture across the region following the three showings this month.
"These will be great events for the whole community. MidCoast Council has a long history of taking part in National Reconciliation Week and we really value its purpose towards strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples," Lyndie said.
There is no need to book or RSVP, simply turn up and find your spot under the stars. In the instance of wet weather, check Council's Facebook Page for an alternative venue.