The crowd gathered in the picnic area near the Armidale Information Centre before walking over Stephens Bridge, along the north side of the Creeklands and back via the Faulkner Street Bridge to listen to the speakers, watch the Nyardi Dancers, and enjoy some refreshments.

Following a Welcome to Country by Steve Widders, Dr Cynthia Briggs emceed the line up of speakers which included Hazel Vale from the Aboriginal community; UNE Deputy Vice-Chancellor Michael Wilmore; and CEO of Homes North Maree McKenzie, who spoke about their organisations' Reconciliation Action Plans.

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The local branch of grassroots reconciliation group, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR), organised the walk, which commemorates the Sydney Bridge Walk held in 2000 when 300,000 people walked across the Harbour Bridge and 'Sorry' was written across the sky.

The Bridge Walk is held during National Reconciliation Week - a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.

The national theme for Reconciliation Week this year is 'More than a Word: Reconciliation takes Action'.

"This theme echoes the talk for last year's local Bridge Walk, where ANTaR co- convenor Cynthia Briggs expressed the hope that we can move forward from discussing what reconciliation means, to what we are doing about it in the local community," said ANTaR co-Convenor Diana Eades.

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Local Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) were featured at this year's event.

"Each year we walk across Stephen's Bridge, do a circuit of the park and then gather to listen to short speeches and watch Aboriginal dancers," said Ms Eades.

"It is a great opportunity to meet and chat with friends, old and new, enjoy the entertainment and have lunch together."

The Armidale Bridge walk started in 2010 with a small gathering and has been growing every year since, apart from one cancellation due to heavy rain.

Due to covid-19, last year's Bridge Walk was a video event.

The Bridge Walk has become a popular outing for the community and is organised by Armidale ANTaR, the local reconciliation group, part of an independent, national network of organisations and individuals working in support of Justice, Rights and Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ms Eades said Armidale ANTaR recognises the wonderful support shown for the Bridge Walk by the Armidale Regional Council and Homes North Community Housing.

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