Speaker: Dr Lisa Sarzin and Bernice Hookey

This lunchtime lecture, which falls on National Sorry Day and the start of Reconciliation Week, will explore the topic of reconciliation and the role of storytelling in building a respectful, harmonious and inclusive society. Dr Lisa Sarzin, takes a fresh look at these themes through the lens of the children’s picture book she authored, Stories for Simon, which deals with the National Apology to the Stolen Generations and what saying sorry means for all Australians. Lisa will discuss how her book has been used in classrooms to open up conversations with young children about racial injustice. Lisa will be joined by Bernice Hookey, who reflects on National Sorry Day:

“National Sorry Day through my lens is one where emotion and knowledge is power… Through the Knowledge to learn and heal is Power to the Story, for this carries great significance to play a part in healing this Nation together. Also this week the start of Reconciliation Week, Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and Mabo Day is also a journey of emotion and knowledge is power, and to stand in solidarity with you to take action to be brave and be courageous that our shared histories can contribute to achieving reconciliation because we know this strengthens the movement to keep being a voice that echo’s change!”

Dr Lisa Sarzin has previously co-authored Hand in Hand: Jewish and Indigenous people working together (2010), which documents collaborative initiatives between Jewish and First Nations people. Lisa serves on the Board of a number of not-for-profits, including the Rona Tranby Trust which supports the recording and preservation of Indigenous Australian oral history.

Bernice Hookey is a proud Waanyi woman, where her people descend from the Lower Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. She is a mum to two, Principal Consultant for Bernice Hookey Consulting, Founder for MZB Empowerment, speaker, author, mentor and trainer. She is proactive in her community on Wulgurukaba/Bindal Nation Townsville, Queensland. Co-author of the book RAW Real Stories of Nine Resilient Women, she tells her story about trauma through suffering extreme grief depression. Bernice serves on a number of boards in health, legal, and women advocacy in particular speaking up for First Nation women on local and national level.