Georges River Council hosted its official opening ceremony for NAIDOC Week 2018 at the Hurstville Civic Centre this morning.
The ceremony commenced with a didgeridoo performance by Brenden Moore.
The Acknowledgment of Country was made by Aunty Deanna Schreiber of the Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.
The Endeavour Harmony Female Chorus sang Aboriginal songs followed by I am Australian.
Young people from Scouts Australia NSW participated in the official Flag Raising Ceremony which as the raising of the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.
This was followed by a performance by the Aboriginal Traditional Dance Group led by artist Kaleb Taylor.
The event included a panel discussion facilitated by Leanne Trindall, manager of the Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.
The panel consisted of Aboriginal leading women Aunty Ruth Simon, Aunty Jo Love and Ms Louise Durmuch who spoke about their experiences as Aboriginal women.
The theme this year for NAIDOC Week 2018 is ‘Because of her we can!’ which recognises the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, especially women, make to our country and our society.
The opening ceremony kicks-off a week of events which include an Aboriginal cultural walk through Lime Kiln Bay in Oatley Park, Aboriginal dot painting workshops for kids and adults, cultural workshops for pre-schoolers, and a screening of the film, Radiance.
Georges River Libraries will host a panel discussion with Barton MP Linda Burneyand Aunty Annette Webb, while Brooke Joy will read her children’s book based on her great-great-grandmother’s life, Annie’s story: growing up strong on Boandik Country.
Brooke will read in both English and traditional Aboriginal language, Bunganditj.
For more information on Council’s 2018 NAIDOC Week celebrations, contact Council’s Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam, on 9330 6400.
