Resting in Awe: Reflections from Election Weekend on Yuin Country
How did you spend the election weekend – and more specifically, Saturday night?
Aunty and I took an impromptu camping trip on beautiful Yuin Country on the Far South Coast of NSW. Little did we know, we’d be out of mobile range.
It was the first time in Aunty’s adult life she hadn’t followed election coverage; it wasn’t planned—it just happened. So, what did we do? We did what humans have done for hundreds of thousands of years: we sat by the fire, gazed into its warmth, and connected with Country. We felt peaceful, grounded, and grateful.
We returned on Sunday to hear Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong begin their victory speeches with moving Acknowledgements of Country and references to the oldest continuing culture in the world. The words “courage, kindness, inclusion, humility, optimism, fairness, respect, and equality” resonated deeply. We were reminded to “reflect on what we have in common as a nation” and to “remember the fundamental values that unite us.”
We believe that one of those values is our shared connection to Country, and our love for nature.
It is through deepening our own connection, as we did by the fire on Saturday night, that we can also deepen our understanding of cultural protocols and inspire others, increasing mutual understanding of what we all have in common.
My word for this year is Rest, which I find in my connection to Country. Aunty’s word is Awe. Together, we Rest in Awe – and we do this on Country.
We want to hear from you
Do you believe that connection to Country is something we all share? How could deepening this connection help change our collective understanding of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country?
We will explore these themes and more in our National Reconciliation Week webinar. Due to the incredible response, we’ve opened up additional spots for both individuals and organisations committed to Reconciliation.
Aunty and I will be waiting by the virtual fire to yarn with you. See the details below.
Join us for a National Reconciliation Week Yarn
We invite you to gather with us around the virtual fire — a space to reflect, ask questions, and explore how you can walk forward with purpose. Together, we’ll deepen our understanding and take meaningful steps toward Reconciliation in a genuine, practical way.
