Published on Friday, 26 July 2013 at 12:00:00 AM
NAIDOC week was celebrated in all towns across the Shire of Ashburton with events in Onslow, Pannawonica, Paraburdoo and Tom Price - including the first ever NAIDOC concert in the region organised by Gumala Aboriginal Corporation.
This year’s local theme “We walk and talk about land together” was named and endorsed by local elder, Dawn Hicks.
Children and adults enjoyed a range of activities including painting at this year's NAIDOC Celebrations
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) is a week dedicated to celebrate and honour the history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Every July, activities and events around the country focus on acknowledging the invaluable contribution Indigenous people make to Australia’s National Identity.
Tom Price
Thanks to the tireless work of the many volunteers involved, there was a busy day of events held at the Tom Price Community Centre on Sunday 7 July, with over 250 people attending to share in celebrating Indigenous culture.
The day officially began with Welcome to Country followed by the flag raising ceremony – which featured six local children. There were several market stalls and artifact displays, and a damper competition. The children were happy with plenty of activities to choose from including face-painting, footprint-decorating, dot-painting and a bouncy castle.
A live band led by Wayne Stevens entertained the crowd while Gumala DJ Tadam Lockyer broadcast live from the event. A sausage sizzle and other refreshments were available throughout the day.
Pannawonica
NAIDOC celebrations took place at ‘The Rocks’ on July 3, kicking off with Welcome to Country ceremony. Next up were the NAIDOC Awards presentation followed by the Flag Raising Ceremony and then the crowd were treated to a chooky dance performance. For the children there was a dance workshop as well as plenty of other fun activities.
Paraburdoo
Ashburton Hall was the venue for this year’s Rio Tinto sponsored celebrations, on July 11. Aunty June Injie offered Welcome to Country and acknowledged the past and the present, and delivered an important message about living and sharing the country together.
A Flag Raising Ceremony followed, and children were kept entertained with a bouncy castle and a native animal colouring competition as well as a kite making stand.
A delicious menu of traditional food was on offer, including kangaroo stew, kangaroo kebabs and damper. Local artists Michael Morris and Neila Lockyear provided an Art display while DJ Tadam Lockyer from Gumala radio broadcasted music throughout the event.
Onslow
There was great excitement on July 11 at the arrival of Australia’s most renowned Indigenous Celebrity Chef, Mark Olive – or the Black Olive as he’s popularly known – who treated the crowd to a cooking demonstration at the Onslow Sports Club. The Chevron-sponsored event attracted around 130 people. There was also a recognition event with Thalanyji, the Native Title holders of the Onslow area, elders and cultural heritage monitors.
V Swans coordinated a football match, played by members of the community, along with bush tucker, a sausage sizzle and face-painting activities.
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