Events will kick off with The Hepburn Shire National Reconciliation Week Forum taking place in Franklinford next Tuesday.

The forum’s keynote speakers are Jida Gulpilil from the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and Boort historian Paul Haw, who has researched the history of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

Reconciliation Action Plan Committee Member Barry Golding said the event is the first to be held this year to recognise and raise awareness of the history of the area.

“In a sense what we are doing is looking at the Aboriginal present and historic past,” he said.

Edward Stone Parker’s Aboriginal protectorate in Franklinford was one of four in Victoria.

“Because this was a government protectorate, we have all the records, including exactly what happened here and the names of all the people.

“In the 1960’s, a local guy called Edgar Morrison started to scratch around in the local history and created three books. For the first time, the story of local people was told. It is an amazing story,” he said.

Dja Dja Wurrung country incorporates Hepburn Shire as well as a large portion of land in the Central Victorian region. It is estimated there are 2000 descendants of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

The Franklinford forum will take place at Franklinford Hall on Mill St on Tuesday May 29 from 6.30pm.

Bookings are essential, via council’s website or search “National Reconciliation Week Forum Franklinford” at Eventbrite.