Join in a celebration of Songlines this NAIDOC Week
Wingecarribee Shire Council and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community will officially kick off NAIDOC Week celebrations with a flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre in Moss Vale from 10am on Monday 4 July.
“NAIDOC Week is one of this Shire’s most important annual events and one which this Council looks forward to each year,” Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Larry Whipper said.
“It provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate our rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and continue to build an Australia that appreciates and reflects the achievements and aspirations of all our people.”
This year’s theme of celebration is ‘Songlines –The living narrative of our nation’ and highlights the importance of Songlines to the existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Otherwise known as dreaming tracks, Songlines recorded the travels of ancestral spiritual beings who ‘sung’ the land into life creating rivers, lakes, plants, land formations and living creatures. This year’s theme will showcase a history and deep spiritual connection to the land.
Wingecarribee’s NAIDOC celebrations will continue through the week with the NAIDOC Traditional Indigenous Games at Moss Vale Community Oval on Wednesday 6 July from 10am to 2pm.
Primary School students and youth up-to 13 years are encouraged to attend and join in a range of traditional activities such as Buroinjin, a game with similarities to modern day AFL and Keentan, a running, passing and catching game resembling the movements of a kangaroo. A healthy nutritional lunch will also be provided.
“I encourage everyone to learn more about our country’s first people and attend one of the many NAIDOC Week events being held across our Shire during this year’s celebrations,” the Mayor added.
For more information about Wingecarribee Shire Council’s NAIDOC Week program of events contact Council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer, Melissa Wiya on 4868 0856 or email melissa.wiya@wsc.nsw.gov.au.