New South Wales Shadow Attorney General Paul Lynch made his annual trip to Myall Creek on the weekend to attend the commemoration of the Myall Creek massacre. Mr. Lynch has attended the rememberance ceremony regularly since 2007.
Other political figures to attend the function were Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, and Mayors, John Coulton (Gwydir) and Conrad Bolten (Narrabri).
Shadow Attorney General, Paul Lynch, with retiring Chairman of the Myall Creek Memorial Committee, Dr. John Brown.
The origin of the commemoration was the unprovoked massacre in 1838 of 28 aboriginal children, women and elderly men. The killings were carried out by European stockmen.
John Plunkett, then NSW Attorney General brought prosecutions against a number of stockmen, some of whom were executed.
“The Myall Creek massacre commemoration is a reminder of a central element of NSW and Australian history” said Mr Lynch. “Acknowledging this (and other) massacres is simply telling the truth about our past. It allows us to overcome that past. Not telling the truth about our history is to wear a white blindfold.”
“Acknowledging the truth is also essential for reconciliation. That in turn is an important step in closing the gap and overcoming aboriginal disadvantage. I congratulate the organisers of this important event.”
