By Briar Sinclair
FOUR indigenous women, including Sunshine’s Jacqui Marion, are not just talking the talk but walking the walk.
Ms Marion and her three friends, Merryn Edwards, Julie Phillips and Trisha Atkinson-Sinclair, will complete the Geelong Walk in support of Michael Long’s Long Walk.
They will leave Geelong on Thursday and are scheduled to arrive at Sadler Reserve on The Esplanade in Williamstown on Saturday, 3 December at 1pm.
A barbecue, sponsored by the Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place with the help of Hobsons Bay City Council, will be held in the reserve. The public is welcome to attend.
All four women took part in the original Long Walk last year with Mr Long when he walked from Melbourne to Canberra to discuss indigenous issues with Prime Minister John Howard.
Ms Edwards, who is from Geelong, said they were all walking for the same reasons.
“We wanted to stand up as indigenous women and do something for our community,” she said.
“We want to be recognised and seen by our younger generation as the next future leaders in our community as women.
“I think it’s time for a change, it’s time for the women to put their hands up and do something because we’ve stayed in the background for a while now.”
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavin Jennings and western suburbs council representatives will send the women off at Geelong.
Ms Edwards said anyone was welcome to encourage them on their walk, which takes them through Wyndham and Hobsons Bay streets including Hoppers Lane, Sneydes Road, Point Cook Road and Central Road.
Their route will take them along Merton Street, Harcourt Road, Kororoit Creek Road and The Strand before they get to the park.
“We want as many people to support us as possible,” Ms Edwards said.
“Anyone is welcome to join in.
“As Michael Long said, this isn’t about indigenous Australia and white Australia, this is about all Australia.”
After the barbecue in Williamstown, the women will then keep walking to Princes Park in Carlton where they will join Mr Long and other people taking part in the 2005 Long Walk around the park.
