22 January 1999

Reconciliation: Finding a Future Together will be the theme of a service on Sunday, March 7 to mark the commencement of the University of Queensland academic year.

Aden Ridgeway of the Gumbayyngirr Aboriginal people of northern New South Wales will be guest speaker at the service, organised by University Chaplaincy Services in Mayne Hall, St Lucia at 7.30pm.

Mr Ridgeway will discuss the dynamics of reconciliation in Australian-Aboriginal affairs. He will challenge the University community to take the necessary steps to make reconciliation a reality.

Mr Ridgeway has been the Executive Director of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. He has worked as the land policy manager, advising the Aboriginal community on matters including native title, cultural property issues, community planning, land rights and land management.

He has been a member of the Sydney Regional ATSIC Council, an Aboriginal assessor at the NSW Land and Environment Court and was involved in business planning while a consultant to Aboriginal organisations.

Aden Ridgeway is currently chair of the Bangara Dance Company and is a member of the Geographical Names Board of NSW and the Australian Museum Trust.

Director of the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit Michael Williams will welcome guests to the commencement service.

The service will feature the choirs of several secondary schools including Brisbane Boys College, Brisbane Girls Garmmar and Bremer State High School.

Other performers will include the University of Queensland Choir, Brisbane State High School Brass Ensemble.

Choral director at Brisbane Boys College and Chorus Master of the Brisbane Chorale Christopher Kiver will be musical director at the service. The organist will be lecturer in keyboard at the Queensland Conservatorium Christopher Wrench.

University Chaplain Reverend Geoff Hoyte, who will lead the service, said the commencement service was open to students, staff and the public.

"Many musical performers are University students and we are catering for both the traditional and more contemporary," he said.

Another inter-denominational service to mark the commencement of the academic year at the new UQ Ipswich campus will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 7.30pm in a marquee on the campus oval. UQ Ipswich opens for its first intake of 580 students next month.

Guest speaker will be University of Queensland studies in religion lecturer the Reverend Dr Rick Strelan who will explore the theme: New beginnings: Heritage city moves to the future.

Media contact Reverend Geoff Hoyte (telephone 3365 6660).