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media release; Honouring our elders and nurturing our youth for NAIDOC weekLast modified: July 10, 2009 - 2:02 PM
The Worimi Land Council and Port Stephens Council kicked off NAIDOC celebrations this week with a whole host of activities designed to ‘honour our elders and nurture our youth’.
Honouring our elders and nurturing our youth for NAIDOC week
The Worimi Land Council and Port Stephens Council kicked off NAIDOC celebrations this week with a whole host of activities designed to ‘honour our elders and nurture our youth’.
Speaking today, CEO of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council (WLALC), Andrew Smith said this year’s NAIDOC week events and activities are about localising the issues and celebrations.
"It’s not just for the local Aboriginal community but for all the people of Port Stephens to enjoy," he said. "This week is also about healing. The healing process has started but it takes time." "It’s not about sympathy it’s about empathy, respect and acknowledgement that we were treated atrociously for many decades," Mr Smith said. "NAIDOC is about celebrating and moving together into the future as one big community in Port Stephens," he continued. Port Stephens Mayor, Cr Bruce MacKenzie will host Worimi elders and youth at the Council administration building, Raymond Terrace on Thursday morning 9 July, for a smoking ceremony and flag raising. The Mayor will then join in a community parade down the main street of Raymond Terrace to officially open the Port Stephens NAIDOC festival at Murrook Centre Williamtown, where there will be free rides, entertainment and food stalls. "It is with great pleasure that I join with the Worimi people to celebrate NAIDOC week," the Mayor said. "We have so much to learn from the traditional owners of this land and we must celebrate Aboriginal culture as it is the oldest living culture in the world," he said. Mr Smith said everyone is welcome to the festival at the Murrook Centre, Williamtown, "don’t miss the fun free rides, entertainment and your opportunity to try genuine bush tucker kangaroo, emu and crocodile".
Port Stephens’ NAIDOC week events; · Aboriginal Art Exhibition: Monday 6 July - 24 July Mezzanine Art Gallery, Port Stephens Council administration building, Raymond Terrace · NAIDOC Festival: Thursday 9 July; 9am smoking ceremony and flag raising at Port Stephens Council Administration building, Raymond Terrace; 10am Parade along William Street; 12am-4pm Festival at the Murrook Centre, Williamtown including free rides, entertainment and food. · Rainbow Serpent launch: Thursday 9 July 11am, smoking ceremony and official launch, Riverside Park Raymond Terrace. · Corroboree: Saturday, 11 July– dancing, live music, bush food banquet. Murrook Centre, Williamtown. Enquiries: Mark 49651527
For more information about the celebrations visit Port Stephens Council website http://portstephens.local-e.nsw.gov.au/events/pages/153161.html or contact Community Planner – Cultural Development Chloe Beevers on 49 900 121 Contact details |
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© 2008 Port Stephens Council |
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