A small group of four walkers passed through the northern reaches of the Glen Innes Severn region this week as part of a 474-kilometre commemorative journey from Ballina to Myall Creek.
The walk, known as Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives, aims to raise awareness of Australia’s frontier conflicts and to honour those affected by frontier war massacres during the colonial period.
Having walked from Torrington to Emmaville, the group is continuing westward towards Inverell before reaching Myall Creek in time for the annual commemorative event on Sunday, 7 June.
Along their route, participants have visited a number of recognised massacre sites, including locations at Ballina, Evans Head and Tabulam in the Northern Rivers region. While travelling through the New England area, the walkers also paid their respects at the Bluff Rock massacre site south of Tenterfield and the Deepwater massacre site north of Torrington.
As they entered the Glen Innes Severn Local Government Area, the group extended their greetings and respects to local residents and ratepayers, while expressing solidarity with First Nations peoples.
The walkers say their journey is intended to encourage greater public understanding of the colonial conflicts that shaped Australia’s history and to promote informed discussion about the nation’s past.
Community members interested in following the group’s progress or learning more about the initiative can search online for Walk 4 Stolen Children, Land & Lives or visit the project’s Facebook page.
The walk will conclude at Myall Creek, where participants will join others for the annual commemoration of one of Australia’s most significant frontier conflict sites.
