Keith Munro is a descendant of the survivors of the Myall Creek Massacre. He was a regular attendee of the Annual Truth Telling Gathering, which is in itself a key truth-telling project. This event occurs where just a few dozen miles away a mob of stockmen murdered 28 unarmed Aboriginal men, women, and children on June 10, 1838. It brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the local community, representing their commitment to healing and reconciliation.
The physical march is now one of the few opportunities that we have to reflect deeply and remembrance what it should mean. In 1977, this memorial was created to commemorate the victims of the massacre. It also opens a new doorway for vital discussions around the historical injustices endured by Aboriginal Australians. Biwa Kwan, featured in the video above, spoke to Local Host Keith Munro about the importance of the event. He noted that it represents a collaborative goal of honoring our painful past to foster community togetherness.
A memorial completely envelops the site of the massacre. It represents one of the 438 places associated with mass killings during a dark period in Australian history referred to as the Frontier Wars. That era—from 1788 to 1930—was the most violent period, as European settlers committed countless atrocities against Aboriginal people. The Myall Creek Massacre is significant in many ways. It is one of the few examples where the wrongdoers were criminally prosecuted and convicted for their misdeeds. This prosecution was pioneering. For the first time in history, European settlers would be held – legally – accountable for their actions against Aboriginal Australians.
Munro highlighted that the event is about more than just marking past wrongs. It profoundly advances reconciliation and builds empathy among the 30,000 global attendees. He declared that together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians can achieve great things. Collectively, they need to recognize the atrocities that occurred and dedicate themselves to ensuring our past does not repeat itself.
The local community’s involvement in bringing this project to life underscores a collective desire to address historical wrongs while fostering a spirit of collaboration. Each year, Munro and so many other professionals join to stand in solidarity with this important movement. Their work seeks to advance truth-telling and healing across Australian society.
