STREETLEVEL DEADLY SERIOUS ABOUT RECONCILIATION

28 May 2015

“Deadly Salvos” – the Brisbane Streetlevel Mission group that aims to increase engagement with Indigenous people – hosted its first Sorry Day lunch on 26 May 2015.

More than 70 people attended the lunch as volunteers served kangaroo stew and other Indigenous dishes to the guests.

“The goal of Deadly Salvos is simply to provide a safe, encouraging and friendly environment where Indigenous people feel welcome and respected,” said Major Bryce Davies, Streetlevel Team Leader.

“We chose this name because if anything is cool, then it’s definitely ‘deadly’”.

Deadly Salvos members ran the lunch. Dusty Muller, a Wiradjuri Elder did the Acknowledgement of Country and David Thomson read a summary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, recorded in parliament on 13 February, 2008.

“It was a really nice event with such a happy and joyful atmosphere,” said Major Davies. “Our Indigenous people really appreciated the effort we went to, and the love and respect we showed them. They are just looking for ways to be happy and embraced into society. It’s really not that hard.”

The Sorry Day lunch event is just part of Streetlevel’s commitment to understand people’s stories, the issues behind them, and build relationships.

“Our emphasis is on making friends,” said Major Davies. “We’re happy to hear people’s stories, sit together at the table and have a yarn.

“Providing a safe and friendly place for Indigenous people, building relationships and being part of NAIDOC and other events will go a long way towards reconciliation.”