Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS writer.
Walking down Smith Street any day or night you will find yourself brushing shoulders with a sample of all cultures, colours and experiences. From the local aboriginal uncle playing didgeridoo in front of the National Australia Bank, to the hipsters drinking coffee at Alimentari, to the latest street art adorning the public toilets, to a local strutting down the street in their PJ’s.
Smith Street also hosts a variety of shops and traders who work together to improve the community for all who find themselves venturing that bit further east of Brunswick Street or north of Gertrude Street.
But there also needs to be recognition of what has gone before, and a respect for the land on which we walk, and drink, and shop and be entertained. The local Koori community recognise Smith Street and it’s surrounds as a meeting place – it has been for thousands of years. Aboriginal people travel to Smith Street to find their kin, to yarn, to tell stories. It is important for the traders, workers, and visitors, to understand and respect the cultural heritage in and around Smith Street.
It is important to introduce ourselves, to get to know each other by name, to build positive relationships, to respect each other’s history, each other’s story, to listen to each other. By getting to know each other by name we hope there is less likely to be bad behaviour towards each other, or, if there is, at least people can be ‘called on it’ by those that know them.
The future holds many opportunities to celebrate all the colours of Smith Street. To carry on the work already done by the Neighbourhood Justice Centre, Yarra Council, Smith Street Business Association, Victoria Police, the Aboriginal elders and residents.
On this, the 26th day of January 2014, let’s celebrate the future potential of our iconic Smith Street.
@DragonSister
http://www.smithstreetlife.com.au/smith-streets-dream