Beyond the Silence: Reconciliation and the role of Mums

Townsville has a dark history.

By Belinda Young

Growing up in Townsville, I lived near what was called an “Aboriginal reserve.” It was a dry patch of land with brown grass, a few gum trees, and a brick house that always looked like it needed repairs. Across the road was our local corner store, and I remember sitting there with my Dolly magazine, watching the women and children who sat in a circle outside. Night and day, in the stifling NQ heat, they were always there. I was curious, I asked questions. But the answers were vague, or the subject was quickly changed.

Looking back, I don’t think the silence was intentional. My parents weren’t taught either. Like so many Australians of their generation, they only knew fragments, what they’d seen, what they’d been told, and what they observed. In Townsville, that often meant seeing First Nations people struggling with homelessness, alcohol dependence, and petty crime. But no one explained why things were the way they were. The history, the deeper truth, was missing. It wasn’t in the school curriculum. It wasn’t talked about at home. And without that context, it was easy for harmful stereotypes to take root, even when no one meant harm.

Later, as a young adult, I started researching Townsville’s history, and what I found was devastating. Stories of removals, forced labour, and segregation. The legacy of missions and reserves. The way First Nations people were treated, excluded, criminalised, controlled - was appalling. Palm Island, just off the coast, is another tragic chapter. None of this was taught to me. I had to go looking. And what I found changed the way I understood not only the place I grew up in, but the role silence plays in keeping injustice alive.

I began reading books about Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, often written by non-Indigenous authors doing their best to retell what wasn’t theirs to tell. I read about cultural practices, about songlines, about caring for Country. Those tattered, dog-eared books, some of which I’ve had for over 30 years, have helped. More recently, books such as Bruce Pacoe’s, Dark Emu further broadened my understanding. They were a start. But they are just that: a beginning. They are not enough. There is still so much I don’t know, and so much more I want to understand by listening, learning, and walking alongside.

That’s why National Reconciliation Week matters. And why this year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, hits home. It calls us to step forward together - to acknowledge the past and carry those lessons into a more just and respectful future.

As mums, we have an incredible opportunity and responsibility. We can break the cycle of silence. We can make sure our children grow up with a deeper understanding of the history of this land and the strength and resilience of its First Peoples. We can model curiosity, compassion, and truth-telling in our homes and communities.

At Mums of the Hills, we believe parenting is powerful. Reconciliation isn’t just about policy; it’s about practice. It’s in the stories we read at bedtime, the conversations we have in the car, the events we show up to, and the voices we choose to elevate.

If you're ready to learn more or want to start meaningful conversations with your children, here are some helpful starting points:

Books & Stories

• Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe – challenges colonial myths about pre-colonial Aboriginal agriculture and land use

• Welcome to Country: A Travel Guide to Indigenous Australia by Marcia Langton – a rich cultural guide that’s informative and respectful

• Young Dark Emu (for children) – beautifully illustrated and accessible for kids 8+

• Our Mob, God’s Story – a unique visual storytelling Bible featuring artworks by First Nations artists

• Tell Me Why by Archie Roach – a powerful memoir from one of Australia’s most beloved singer-songwriters

Podcasts

• Word Up (ABC Radio) – explores Indigenous languages one word at a time

• Black Magic Woman by Mundanara Bayles – voices of Indigenous women and changemakers

• Curtin University’s The Future Of – includes episodes on Indigenous knowledge systems

• Yarning Up – hosted by Caroline Kell, stories of resilience and truth-telling

For Children & Families

• DeadlyStory.com – especially for Victorian Aboriginal children, but a great resource for all

• Little J & Big Cuz (TV series + resources) – Indigenous-led animated series ideal for early years

• Common Ground – www.commonground.org.au – shares stories and education tools for all ages

Websites & Learning Platforms

• AIATSIS – aiatsis.gov.au – Australia's premier resource for Indigenous knowledge and research

• Reconciliation Australia – www.reconciliation.org.au – resources, actions, and NRW materials

• The Uluru Statement from the Heart – ulurustatement.org – a call for Voice, Treaty, Truth

• Healing Foundation – healingfoundation.org.au – resources on intergenerational trauma and Stolen Generations

Events & Actions

• National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June

• NAIDOC Week – celebrating First Nations cultures and achievements (July each year)

• Attend a local smoking ceremony, cultural workshop or storytelling event—many local councils and libraries offer these.