On Sunday the 19th of July 2020 we gathered together to remember the first recorded act of reconciliation in Australia at Waalumbaal Birri 250 years ago, in Cooktown Far North Queensland between the Guugu Yimithirr people
 and Lt. James Cook and his crew of the HMB Endeavour.

Banks: “We sat down and they did so too about 100 yards from us. The little old man now came forward carrying a lance with no point. We beckoned him to come. He then spoke to the others who all laid down their lances against a tree and leaving them, came forward likewise and so came quite to us,”

Cook: "We now returned the darts we had taken from them which reconciled everything.”

With an afternoon sun, a slight breeze and a small crowd of invitees only, watching intensely as the re-enactment played out, the momentous event that occurred over two centuries ago, where we now call 'Reconciliation Rocks'.

Having been involved as a committee member & photographer for many years ago in the Cooktown Re-enactment Association, it was a pleasure to be the photographer on the day. Short but significant here is the gallery of images for those that could not attend.

*IMAGES ARE FOR SALE in print or digital download from gallery

(proceeds of sale will be donated to the Cooktown Re-enactment Association)

CLICK PICTURE BELOW;