Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Lands Council hosted a Family Fun Day at Dangar Park on July 12 to mark NAIDOC Week.
“It was a great day,” said WWLALC chair Clifford Toomey.
“Our NAIDOC Week Family Fun Day was a gathering of community and being together as one – it was just awesome.
“We’ve had really positive feedback and there were heaps of people there.
“Clinton Lamb did a smoking ceremony and a dance workshop with the kids.
“It was great – we’ve got to keep our culture going, we’ve got to get back to passing knowledge back down to generations and giving our younger generation confidence as well as a sense of pride and belonging.”
There were a variety of activities and entertainment on offer to engage attendees.
Kate Briggs facilitated a weaving workshop, Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre set-up a boomerang painting table, facepainting and popular band Castlereagh Connection, just to name a few of the highlights.
Castlereagh Connection is a band of family members, the talented Gomeroi team has appeared on the hit television series The Voice: Generations putting their hometown of Coonamble on the map.
Clifford Toomey gave a speech at the event and kindly shared it with the Wee Waa News.
“Hello, my name is Clifford Toomey, Gamilaroi Nation, Sand goanna Totem from Pilliga,” he said.
“I like to remember Gamilaroi people of the Gamilaroi Nation whose home country this special event takes place and pay respect to elders past and present of the Gamilaroi nation for they are the knowledge holders and keepers of the stories connecting the land and waterways in our Gamilaroi nation.
“I’ll extend that respect to other Aboriginal people here and acknowledge our youth as they are and will be our future,” he said.
“We are here together to Celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024,” said WWLALC chair Clifford Toomey.
“The 2024 theme is – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.
“For many years, the generations that came before us were silenced.
“Not only in voice and language but in cultural practices, family connections, equal rights, fair pay and in all social and political arenas.
“We owe these generations our voice. We are obligated to speak up and to amplify the voices of the elders who were silenced for so long.
“This year’s theme is about standing loud and proud authentically in our unwavering commitment to justice and equity, acknowledging always that we come from the oldest living culture in the world.
“Just a few I’d like to thank for the day – Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens, John Clements from Roy Butler’s office.
“The Castlereagh Connection for their musical entertainment for our Deadly day. Clinton Lamb for your welcoming smoking ceremony.
“Thank you to the sponsors, NSC, Whitehaven, Santos, NDCAS Josh Pattison’s team, FRRR.
“A special mention to our Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Lands Council board and our fantastic chief executive officer and superwoman Robyn Keeffe for the tireless effort – you always go above and beyond your call of duty for our Lands Council.”
Mr Toomey also thanked the attendees, supporters, and community for gathering at the Family Fun Day to mark NAIDOC Week.
Held across the country from July 7 to 14, 2024, NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Milly Adams, Darin Hodgson, Susie Thompson, Tim Brotherten, Sandra Williams, Natasha Swain, and Sienna and Bernadette Melton at the Wee Waa Local Aboriginal Land Council’s Family Fun Day held on Friday, July 12 at Dangar Park. There were a variety of activities including with Kate Briggs who facilitated a weaving workshop and Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre set-up a boomerang painting table.
