MEMBER for Bega Andrew Constance has offered grants aimed at fostering community involvement in NAIDOC Week by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of the Bega Valley.
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The state Minister for Transport and Infrastructure announced last Friday, July 3, that $1500 in funding had been allocated in support of the Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council’s NAIDOC Community Fun Day and a further $1000 for the Southern Women’s Group’s Young Indigenous Women’s Group activities.
“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Mr Constance said.
Bega Aboriginal Land Council will hold the Bega NAIDOC Community Fun Day on Wednesday, July 8, between 11am and 3pm at the Bega Showground.
It will be a community celebration with a whole range of activities that will focus on the theme for 2015 – “We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect, and Celebrate”.
The theme highlights Indigenous Australians’ strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and sea, and is an opportunity to pay respects to country; honour those who work tirelessly on preserving land, sea and culture; and to share the stories of many sites of significance or sacred places with the nation.
“Activities on the day will include exploring traditional arts and craft skills taught by an NPWS Discovery Ranger, talks by elders and school students, face and boomerang painting for kids, school student NAIDOC focused art display, entertainment by Aboriginal artists and rides for kids,” Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Glenn Willcox said.
“A barbecue and other food offerings will be provided.
“People from several agencies and organisations, who will have a presence on the day, have been busy in recent weeks organising the event.
“The Bega Valley Shire Council as well as the Federal Government are also supporting the day.
“As in previous years, we anticipate that people from across the broader South East region will travel to Bega to join the local community for this event, with NAIDOC celebrations increasingly recognised as a highlight of the local community calendar.
“We really appreciate the support provided by the NSW Government for our event.
“NAIDOC is so important to our community and this event will help us celebrate it together.
“Everyone is welcome to attend this fun family event,” Mr Willcox said.
Wednesday will also see Southern Women’s Group host a creative arts workshop for young Indigenous girls aged 12-16 years old, providing the opportunity to work with a professional artist and foster participation in the creative arts.
Also this week, the Bega Valley Regional Gallery will host a film festival with screenings at noon on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (July 7, 9 and 10).
The NSW Department of Family and Community Services will also host a movie night on Thursday, July 9, at the Bega High School Hall with a screening of the film The Sapphires at 7.30pm, with food provided from 6.30pm and doors opening at 5.30pm.
