"To make us 'one', I am comfortable as an indigenous man with that change."
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Proud and strong Biripi man, Russell Saunders OAM was speaking about the change to the second line of the Australian National Anthem - "For we are one and free..."
"We are one, we stand as one people," he told those gathered at Taree's Australia Day function at the Taree riverbank as he prepared to give the Welcome to Country, in the local Gathang language.
"The government did this one thing. It only took one word, but it is so powerful."
Mr Saunders, who gave the Welcome to Country at Taree's Australia Day event, also praised the initiative of local Rotary and Lions club members which saw the Manning RiverStage completed last year. "I take my hat off to them for their vision. It is a wonderful stage."
He concluded by saying "This is Biripi country, always was, always will be."
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